Camden, Arkansas, July 9, 2024 – Today, at approximately 12:28 PM, SAU Tech security received a report that a man with what appeared to be a rifle was spotted at the far edge of the woods outside the fence at the Arkansas Fire Training Academy (AFTA). County authorities were immediately notified and began searching the area, using a drone to canvass the vicinity. Deputy Director Jamie Goodwin promptly locked down the AFTA, and the main campus followed suit. The AFTA is located approximately three miles from the main campus.
At 1:45 PM, the County Sheriff’s office confirmed that there was no longer a need for a lockdown. The incident had been contained and there was no active shooter on campus. However, several officers remain on foot to patrol in the area to ensure continued safety.
Chancellor Jerry Thomas stated, “We take these situations very seriously and adhere strictly to our safety protocols to ensure the well-being of our students and campus community. The immediate lockdown was a precautionary measure, and I want to assure everyone that there is no active threat to our campus at this time.”
