NEW ORLEANS — A former student was arrested after he allegedly threatened to set fire to buildings on campus, prompting a temporary evacuation of the campus and lockdowns at nearby schools, authorities said.

Joseph Russo, 41, faces one count of terrorizing and one count of unlawful disruption of the operation of a school, New Orleans police said in a statement. A UNO spokesperson confirmed Russo had attended the school.

Police said Russo allegedly called the school around 10:45 a.m. and threatened to burn down buildings on campus. Campus officials immediately contacted police, who then sent an urgent alert to students, staff, and faculty, warning: “This is an actual emergency and not a test or a drill.”

The campus was evacuated, and two nearby schools — Hynes UNO Charter and Ben Frankl

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