An armed man who was the target of a thorough 4-hour search on Friday night in the city’s south end was apprehended just after 10:00 as he strolled along South Maple Street in the Hidden Valley neighborhood, according to the Chadron Police Department.
Details won’t likely become accessible until later in the morning, although scanner activity suggested the man might have turned himself in willingly. Before being transported to the Dawes County Jail, he had to receive a medical clearance at Chadron Community Hospital. Authorities have not disclosed his name.
Despite numerous instances of gunfire, nobody was harmed during the event or the search. There is also reportedly no proof that the man, who was said to have an assault-style rifle, ever fired at anyone.
According to police, the individual was not responsible for the armed robbery of the Chadron Federal Credit Union at about 2:30 in the afternoon. Security footage plainly shows that the robber, who eluded a protracted manhunt of his own and is still at large, is not the gunman.
The search was initially focused in the C Hill area on the southern end of the campus of Chadron State College at the time of the initial call at 6:00, but it expanded over the course of the following four hours as far east as Ridgeview Drive area and as far west as Maple Street.
When homeowners received an emergency phone warning of the situation, it was advised to lock all doors, take cover, and maintain composure. A little after 7:00, Chadron State College declared a lockdown and issued the same advice, with the addition of hiding in plain sight and turning off lights.
Residents were praised over the phone for their cooperation and patience in adhering to the shelter-in-place request once the culprit was taken into custody.
Active Shooter Situation In C Hill Area: Chadron Police Responding – UPDATE 9:15
Law officers in the Chadron area are still looking in the southern part of the city for a man who fired bullets earlier in the evening and was reportedly carrying an assault-style rifle.
There are rumors that the SWAT unit of the Nebraska State Patrol has been called.
The search began at 6:00 in the C Hill neighborhood on the southern end of the campus of Chadron State College, but it has since expanded to include areas as far west as Maple Street and as far east as the Ridgeview Drive neighborhood.
Due to the ongoing scenario, few details are known, however at least one night-search capable helicopter was requested, along with many ground people who were also equipped with low-light vision gear.
A citywide emergency phone alert was sent out and stated that another will be sent out after the crisis was handled. Additionally, it advised citizens to lock all doors, take cover, and maintain composure, which is now advised for the entire city.
A little after 7:00, Chadron State College declared a lockdown and issued the same advice, with the addition of hiding in plain sight and turning off lights.
It is unknown if the gunman, who does not appear to have fired a shot at a specific person, is associated with the armed robbery that took place at the Chadron Federal Credit Union at 2:30. The long hunt for that suspect came up empty.
FIRST STORY
On the south side of the Chadron State College campus, close to C Hill, the Chadron Police Department is currently engulfed in an active shooter situation.
Citywide emergency phone alerts about the situation have been distributed.
Shots have been fired, according to 911 coordinator Gale Kittell, and every law enforcement officer on duty has responded.
According to Kittle, authorities advise that everyone maintain their composure and that, as a precaution, people in the C Hill neighborhood stay in place and lock their doors.
All students, faculty, and staff at Chadron State College are being asked to shelter in place, lock all doors, turn off all lights, and keep their distance from one another.
If the C Hill gunman was involved in the earlier-in-the-day armed robbery of the Chadron Federal Credit Union, it is unknown.
As further information becomes available, it will be made public. At such time, emergency phone notifications will also happen.