No threat found at Chapman University following reports armed man

ORANGE, Calif. -- A man was reported to have a possible handgun at Chapman University, but after an extensive search, the school was later deemed safe, school officials said.

The sighting happened around 7:13 p.m. on campus located at 1 University Drive, according to Mary Platt, a university spokesperson.

Campus officials said the suspect was reportedly seen with a handgun in his left hand near DeMille Hall, and all students inside were asked to shelter in place. All others in the general area were asked to evacuate.

The suspect was described as a man with short black hair, 25 to 30 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing about 180 pounds, with a red, yellow or orange sweater, Platt said.

The campus has reopened.

A statement published on the school's website read in part: "Chapman University takes every threat seriously. With recent events in other parts of the world, we do not want to alarm you, but we do want to communicate that there has been a reported possible threat situation that Orange law enforcement is investigating."

Stay with ABC7 News for the latest details on this developing story.

ABC7 News contributed to this report.