PICTURED: Person of interest in active shooting in chemistry building at University of North Carolina on FIRST DAY back to college: Cops warn the suspect is ‘armed and dangerous’

Police have issued a picture of a man they are searching for in an active shooting situation after the first day back to the University of North Carolina. 

UNC police issued the image of an Asian man wearing a grey t-shirt with short black cropped hair on Monday afternoon. 

Authorities initially sent out a warning for an ‘armed and dangerous person’ in the vicinity of the school’s Caudill Labs in Chapel Hill at 1pm.

In a statement, police said: ‘This photo shows a person of interest in today’s armed and dangerous person situation. If you see this person, keep your distance, put your safety first and call 911.’

Footage of the scene showed staff and students draped in their chemistry coats being led out of the building as dozens of cops swarmed the campus.

A man was reportedly arrested, handcuffed and questioned, before being let go when cops realized he posed no threat. It unclear if he is the same man that officers are now searching for. 

Students appeared to be escorted out of the chemistry labs by police, with their arms raised above their heads

UNC confirmed the campus ‘remains on lockdown as the active assailant situation continues.’

The alert was issued at 1pm, with police advising staff, faculty and students to shelter inside until further notice. 

A huge emergency services presence has descended on the campus, with armed officers swarming the school. At least four agencies are responding to the scene. 

Lecturer Noel Brewer said that his office was ‘on lockdown’ because of an ‘active shooter somewhere nearby’. 

He said: ‘On lockdown in my office with staff and colleagues. Active shooter somewhere nearby. Perhaps near genome sciences. I heard that a student was shot’.

PHD student Jake Sirlin posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying that there was an ‘active shooter’. 

He said: ‘There is currently an active shooter at UNC in the chemistry building. At least one person has been shot. I am still in hiding. 

‘Please reach out to any loved ones you have on campus and especially in the department. I have never been more scared.’

Authorities and UNC issued a warning for an ‘armed and dangerous person’ in the vicinity of the school’s Caudill Labs in North Carolina

The alert was issued at 1pm, with police advising staff, faculty and students to shelter inside until further notice

It is unclear if a suspect has been apprehended, with witnesses claiming to have heard ‘multiple shots’

It is unclear if a suspect has been apprehended, with witnesses claiming to have heard ‘multiple shots’

As of 2pm the University confirmed that the situation on campus was still ongoing, urging those not on campus to stay away. 

All Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools are in secure mode, meaning all building doors are closed and locked. 

The school district said elementary schools will not dismiss students until there is an all clear given at UNC.

In a statement they said: ‘As a safety precaution, schools have been directed not to release students to their families at this time.’

UNC’s Board of Trustees’ special meeting and the Faculty Executive Committee’s meeting are both canceled for Monday afternoon.