Noises from sorority's bonding event put entire school on active-shooter lockdown: 'We are truly sorry'

A University of Michigan sorority is apologizing for prompting a false active-shooter alert on campus by popping balloons.

The Ann Arbor chapter of alpha Kappa Delta Phi penned an apology letter, published in The Michigan Daily on Sunday, in which they addressed an incident that put the school on lockdown the week prior. In the letter, which is signed on behalf of the entire chapter, the women explain that they were partaking in a bonding event that involved popping balloons as a means of team-building. Unfortunately, the activity took place at the same time as a vigil for people killed in the New Zealand mosque shooting, and triggered people to report what sounded like gun shots.

According to a statement by the school’s vice president for communications, there were as many as 20 calls reporting shots being fired on March 16 in an on campus building adjacent to the area where the vigil was taking place. Officers were immediately alerted, as was the campus community who were told to evacuate the area.

Nearly three hours later, the university issued the all-clear notice, after officers from several agencies, including the FBI, provided support in conducting a thorough search of the building and determined that it was just balloons. Now the sorority is acknowledging the inconsiderate nature of the timing of their event.

“We are truly sorry to everyone who feared for their lives and had to experience the traumatic events of that day, especially to our fellow Muslim students and all those who were present at the New Zealand Mosques Solidarity Vigil,” the letter reads. “It is unacceptable to merely pass off our actions as a poorly timed coincidence. To do so would be to ignore the politically-charged atmosphere that day and the many serious events on campus that preceded the false alarm.”

The sorority declined Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment. However, their letter goes on to ensure that the Greek life organization is committed to further educating themselves about Islamophobia and standing in solidarity with marginalized communities on campus.

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