University of Utah Issues Campus Alert Over Replica Rifle at Lassonde Studios, Later Cleared
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The University of Utah issued a campus alert on the night of October 21 after a report of a person brandishing a firearm near Lassonde Studios, a university housing center. Police later determined the item was an Airsoft replica rifle, and the alert was lifted.
According to Gephardt Daily's October 22 report, a 10:43 p.m. alert asked Lassonde Studios residents to stay in their rooms. An 11:21 p.m. update said the individual had been detained, the area around Lassonde Studios was safe, the hold for police activity was lifted, and no injuries were reported. Officers from University Police and Salt Lake City Police responded quickly, located and detained the individual, and determined the item was an Airsoft rifle.
An Airsoft rifle, made to closely resemble a real rifle, is a lightweight toy used for survival games, firing non-metallic 6mm plastic BBs with compressed air, gas or electricity. Police have not released the detained person's identity or whether charges are expected. (GSM, based on Gephardt Daily reporting; event on the night of October 21, published as a first-report backfill)
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 犹他大学南校区TRAX站（校园实景）。图片：Wikimedia Commons，CC BY-SA 3.0（File: USouthCampusTRAXstation.jpg）。
