USF Student Locked Up After Causing Lock Down

After police responded to a call about an armed intruder on campus, one man is still in custody

A University of South Florida student called it all a hoax.

Well, Vincent McCoy isn't laughing now that he is behind bars for allegedly saying he had a bomb in his back pack and causing mass hysteria on USF's campus in Tampa on Monday.

Tampa police and S.W.A,T responded to the campus around 1:43 p.m. after reports that a man with a gun and a bomb was wandering near the school's library. USF officials immediately locked down the school and told students and staff to remain indoors while the police did their job.

McCoy eventually stood up on a crowded bus and confessed that he was the person the cops were looking for. Though he claimed it was a hoax afterward, campus security called the local bomb squad to investigate the suspect's back pack, which was detonated.

Inside was nothing more than text books, note pads and pencils.

At 3:30 p.m., another possible suspect, which the USF site described as a "white male subject seen in Cooper Hall area in black tank top, cowboy hat, carrying black puppy and large hunting knife," was seen in handcuffs and detained, but later released.

Earlier this afternoon, the university's website issued an alert, which read:

"Armed intruder on campus at the main campus library. Officers are on scene searching the area. Avoid the area and report anything suspicious. The Bull Runner Transit System is not picking up passengers until all clear is given. Do not wait at shelters or stops. Seek safe shelter."

Asked whether police thought the call was credible, USF police Lt. Meg Ross told the Tribune, "You have to take them all seriously." 

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