The University of New Orleans ordered a mandatory campus evacuation Friday after police reported a potential threat, issuing an alert that said the situation was an actual emergency.

The campuswide message, sent by the University of New Orleans Police Department, instructed people to evacuate immediately and emphasized that the alert was not a drill.

Local police confirmed the order, saying officers are on the scene assisting with the evacuation and securing the area. A nearby school has been placed on lockdown as a precaution, and residents have been urged to avoid the area until further notice.

The evacuation came as graduation ceremonies were taking place on campus, according to Louisiana's WDSU 6. Benjamin Franklin High School, which is located on the university grounds, was also pl

See Full Page