BUIES CREEK — A three-hour lockdown of Campbell University’s main campus was lifted just after 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, after a law enforcement incident with a student in his on-campus home ended peacefully.
According to Harnett County Sheriff Larry Rollins, deputies apprehended Jared Dale Knight, 24, after lengthy negotiations for his surrender, which began when Knight locked himself in his home located across the street from Campbell’s Lundy-Fetterman School of Business. Deputies had tried to serve arrest papers on charges Knight stole merchandise from a Fuquay-Varina gun shop, where he was employed.
Law enforcement notified Campbell University of the situation, and by 1:50 p.m., a campus-wide lockdown was ordered. Students, faculty and staff were told to remain in their classrooms or residence halls with all outside doors locked. They learned of the lockdown through the campus’ emergency notification system, which sent direct messages to University email accounts and cell phones. Students were also notified through social network sites and Campbell’s main website.
University Vice President of Advancement Britt Davis said the lockdown was issued as a precaution, and University officials did not believe any other students or staff were ever in danger.
“I think the system worked very well for us,” Davis said. “We’ve never had anything like this happen on campus before, so we’re pleased with how smoothly the notification process went.”
Police blocked off all access to Dr. McKoy Road and the northern portion of the Buies Creek campus for over three hours during the negotiation process. Rollins said Knight surrendered peacefully shortly before 5 p.m., and after a thorough search of his home was complete, University officials lifted the lockdown at 5:10.
“Campbell University has an exemplary record as a safe and secure campus,” Davis said. “We are saddened about these circumstances, but pleased that our campus community was able to respond calmly and professionally throughout the situation.”