University of Tennessee Active Threat Alert: Stabbing at World’s Fair Park Prompts Campus Lockdown
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A University of Tennessee emergency alert warning students and staff of an “active threat” near campus prompted a temporary lockdown Friday morning as police responded to a stabbing at World’s Fair Park.
The emergency alert initially instructed members of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville community to take immediate protective action, including running to safety if possible or locking and barricading themselves inside a secure location. The alert also advised people to stay away from doors and windows and silence their phones.
The situation later became clearer when the Knoxville Police Department said officers were investigating a stabbing at World’s Fair Park involving two people believed to be unhoused. Police said the victim suffered injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
Stabbing occurred off campus
According to police, the stabbing did not involve University of Tennessee students or campus property. However, authorities believed the suspect fled the area in the direction of the university campus, prompting officials to issue the emergency warning to the broader UT community.
The suspect was initially described by UT Police as a Black man wearing black pants and white shoes. Authorities said he was believed to have traveled west toward campus after the incident.
Because of the suspect’s reported direction of travel, university officials treated the incident as a potential immediate threat to people on or around campus and issued the emergency notification.
Campus lockdown later lifted
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the area while officers searched for the suspect. University officials subsequently announced that the active threat was no longer considered a danger to campus and canceled the barricade order.
The university’s emergency response was consistent with its established procedures. UT Knoxville says its emergency alert system is designed to notify students, faculty and staff when there is a significant emergency or dangerous situation that could pose an immediate threat to the campus community.
What students were told
During the emergency, people on campus were instructed to follow standard Run, Hide, Fight guidance. Those inside buildings were told to lock and barricade doors, stay away from windows and doors, turn off lights and silence mobile phones.
People who were outside were advised to move to the nearest safe location and follow instructions from responding law enforcement officers.
The initial wording of the alert caused concern among students because it referred to an “active threat” and warned that someone was attacking people on or near campus. As additional information became available, authorities clarified that the underlying incident was a stabbing at World’s Fair Park rather than a reported attack occurring inside a university building.
Investigation continues
Knoxville police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stabbing and work to determine exactly what led to the confrontation.
At this time, authorities have not publicly identified the people involved. Police have also not indicated that the incident was connected to the university or that students were targeted.
The victim’s injuries were described as non-life-threatening, according to KPD. The investigation remains active, and additional information about the suspect or possible charges may be released as police continue their work.
The University of Tennessee has urged students, faculty and staff to remain aware of their surroundings and rely on official university and law-enforcement communications for further updates.
This is a developing story. Additional details may be released as Knoxville police continue their investigation.
Update: The latest available reporting says the campus barricade order has been canceled and the active threat has been resolved.
