The University of Ottawa has lifted its lockdown nearly two hours after reporting a “violent incident occurring on campus” Friday evening.
Police said there are “no injuries to report” and one person had been arrested after receiving reports of a “suspicious person” on the campus in downtown Ottawa.
The university said in a notice on its emergency alert website, app and social media at 7:10 p.m. Eastern that the “campus is safe” and “there is no danger.”
“Campus is safe following an incident earlier this evening,” the notice said. “The situation has ended and there is no threat to safety. There were no injuries. The lockdown is lifted. Normal activities may resume.”
At 5:18 p.m. Eastern, the school announced a lockdown as urged students to avoid the area and shelter in place if they were on campus.
“Take cover and remain silent until authorities instruct otherwise,” the school said, ordering students to find an enclosed area, lock and barricade the door, turn off the lights and mute their electronic devices.
“If a violent attacker is close by, be ready to run, hide or, if your life is in imminent danger, defend yourself by any means necessary until you can get away.”
The university issued subsequent holds for the lockdown at 6 p.m. and 6:37 p.m. Eastern.
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Ottawa Police said on social media there was an “increased police presence” at a central intersection of the campus at Nicholas Street and Laurier Avenue “as officers investigate a suspicious incident.”
Police cleared the scene after the lockdown was lifted and the arrest was made. They said the investigation was continuing into what occurred.
OC Transpo, the city’s public transit agency, said on X that the uOttawa LRT station was closed and that trains would not be stopping there. The agency lifted that order at 7:21 p.m. Eastern.
Police were seen at the LRT station during the lockdown.
Ottawa police at the University of Ottawa LRT station during a lockdown at the university’s campus on April 10, 2026.
The campus was not blocked off to pedestrians, who were still allowed to walk through.
University of Ottawa campus is spread among the downtown core in Ottawa and is minutes from Parliament Hill and the Rideau Centre, as well as popular commuting routes.
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