Attempted Bank Robbery Affected Winthrop Campus

Quick Facts

University officials also sent out text messages and a recorded message to cell phones to inform the campus.

The system worked as anticipated in what is the first time the campus has used its alert system for an actual emergency.

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Winthrop University restricted its faculty, staff and students to its buildings for about 45 minutes Friday morning due to an attempted bank robbery near the campus.

Police sent out word through the Alertus beacons in each building that a suspect in a bank robbery at the corner of Oakland Ave. and Wilson St. could be in the vicinity of campus. The suspect was described as a white male, wearing a black sweatshirt and blue jeans, and carrying a shotgun.

The suspect fled from Palmetto Bank on foot, so police were unclear about the direction of travel. Those on the Winthrop campus were advised to stay indoors if at all possible and to call 911 if anyone was seen matching his description.

University officials also sent out text messages and a recorded message to cell phones to inform the campus before the situation cleared up around 10:50 a.m. The system worked as anticipated in what is the first time the campus has used its alert system for an actual emergency.

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