Delaware Tech Owens Campus put on lockdown

A vehicle pursuit between two suspects and the Delaware State Police ended at Delaware Technical Community College, Owen Campus on Nov. 3.

Laurel resident ,Shaylan Hunt, and another Delaware resident ,Nevelle Jones, were the two suspects involved in the vehicle pursuit. When the vehicle was found in the parking lot of Delaware Tech, the Delaware State Police apprehended Hunt, but Jones had fled the scene, the campus was immediately put on lockdown.

Galen Purcell, Chief of Public Safety at Owens Campus, coordinated Public Safety personnel, as well as giving timely notifications to the college’s Communications and Planning Department, director of public safety, and the campus director.

“I anticipate that there will be future lockdown drills held on campus in 2018,” Purcell said. “The more the campus community practices and becomes more familiar with the procedures to follow, the better prepared they will be when a real lockdown occurs.”

The announcement of the lockdown was made via the public address system campus-wide. Following the announcement of the lockdown, faculty, staff, and students were then advised to report to the closest room they were near, lock the doors, shut off lights, silence phones, and to stay away from all windows until told otherwise.

The lockdown started at 2:30 p.m. immediately followed by a campus-wide search. Hunt was found standing between the Arts and Sciences building. Jones was never found. This lead to the search inside the campus that lasted until 3:30 p.m.

Leslie Mergner, Assistant Dean of Instruction, played a part in the lockdown. Having the role similar to the faculty, staff, and students, Mergner ensured that she responded appropriately to the lockdown message, and allowed Public Safety and the police to perform their role.

“I walked the buildings to follow up with faculty, staff, and students to ensure that those present were OK,” Mergner said.

The Campus Director and Chief of Public Safety held a lockdown debriefing. On Nov. 9, they updated the campus community about the situation, as well as listened to feedback and observations that they can use to improve upon on the future.

“By chance, we had completed a lockdown drill the previous Friday,” Purcell said. He stated that overall, the procedures for the lockdown went well with most individuals doing what was expected of them.

Delaware Technical Community College, Owen Campus was put on lockdown Nov. 3.

Nevelle Jones

Shaylan Hunt