Coordinated swatting email prompts campus lockdown; determined to be a hoax

To check this alert, Claude (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

• Sourcepresent25/25

  Final assessment

  Unanimous: Alabama State University and Campus Police identify the university and police as sender.

  Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. present: It names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police", identifying the university and police as sender.
  2. present: It identifies "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police" as sources.
  3. present: It names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police" as the sender and authority.
  4. present: It names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police" as the sender and authority.
  5. present: It identifies "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police" as the source.
  6. present: It names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police", the issuing authorities.
  7. present: Identifies "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police", the issuing authority.
  8. present: It names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police", issuing authorities.
  9. present: Names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police", identifying the sender and agency.
  10. present: It opens "On behalf of Alabama State University" and names "Campus Police", identifying the sender.
  11. present: Issued "On behalf of Alabama State University" with "Campus Police", identifying the source.
  12. present: Names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police" as the issuer and responding authority.
  13. present: It names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police", the issuing authorities.
  14. present: Identifies the sender on behalf of "Alabama State University" and cites "Campus Police".
  15. present: Identifies "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police" as the issuing authority.
  16. present: Identifies "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police", naming the sender.
  17. present: Names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police" as the issuing authorities.
  18. present: It names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police", identifying the sender and authority.
  19. present: It names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police", the issuing authority.
  20. present: It is issued "On behalf of Alabama State University" and names "Campus Police".
  21. present: Names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police", identifying the sender.
  22. present: It names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police", identifying the sender and authority.
  23. present: It names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police", identifying the source.
  24. present: Identifies "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police" as the source.
  25. present: It names "Alabama State University" and "Campus Police", identifying the source.
• Hazardabsent0/25

  Final assessment

  Unanimous: the message announces a campus closure but never names the underlying threat.

  What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. absent: It announces a campus closure but never names the underlying threat.
  2. absent: No specific hazard is named; buildings are being cleared but no threat type is stated.
  3. absent: No specific threat is named, only that buildings are being cleared.
  4. absent: It announces a closure and building clearing but names no specific hazard.
  5. absent: It announces a campus closure but never names the specific threat behind it.
  6. absent: No specific hazard is named; the reason for closure and clearing buildings is not stated.
  7. absent: Cites a campus closure and building clearing but names no specific threat.
  8. absent: It announces closures and building clearing but names no specific threat in this text.
  9. absent: No specific hazard is named, only that buildings are being cleared and campus is closed.
  10. absent: No specific threat is named; it only states the campus is closed without naming the hazard.
  11. absent: No specific hazard is named; it only states the campus is closed without naming the threat.
  12. absent: No specific hazard is named; it only states the campus is closed without naming the threat.
  13. absent: No specific threat is named; the closure reason is left unstated.
  14. absent: No specific hazard is named; it announces closures without stating the threat.
  15. absent: No specific threat is named; closure is stated without naming the hazard.
  16. absent: No specific hazard is named, only that the campus is closed and buildings are being cleared.
  17. absent: No specific hazard is named; closure and clearing buildings are described without stating the threat.
  18. absent: No specific hazard is named; the reason for closure and clearing is unstated.
  19. absent: It announces closures but names no specific hazard, only buildings being cleared.
  20. absent: No specific hazard is named; buildings are being cleared but the threat is not stated.
  21. absent: No specific hazard named; refers to closure and clearing buildings without stating the threat.
  22. absent: No specific hazard is named; closure and building-clearing occur without stating bomb or threat type.
  23. absent: No specific hazard is named; buildings are being cleared but no threat is stated.
  24. absent: No specific threat is named; the closure gives no hazard.
  25. absent: It announces a campus closure but names no specific threat in this text.
• Locationpresent25/25

  Final assessment

  All reads agree on specific locations, the campus, all buildings, and the John G. Hardy Student Center.

  Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. present: It names "the campus", "all buildings on campus", and "John G. Hardy Student Center", specific locations.
  2. present: It names "campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
  3. present: It names "the campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific locations.
  4. present: It names "campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
  5. present: It names "campus", "all buildings on campus", and "The John G. Hardy Student Center".
  6. present: It names "the campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
  7. present: Names "campus", "all buildings on campus", and "John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
  8. present: It names "the campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
  9. present: Names "campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
  10. present: It names "the campus", "all buildings on campus", and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", locations.
  11. present: Names "campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
  12. present: It names "the campus", "all buildings on campus", and "The John G. Hardy Student Center".
  13. present: It names "the campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
  14. present: Names "campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
  15. present: Names "the campus", "all buildings on campus", and "John G. Hardy Student Center", locations.
  16. present: Names "campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific locations.
  17. present: Names "the campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
  18. present: It names "the campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
  19. present: It names "campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific locations.
  20. present: It names "the campus", "all buildings on campus", and "The John G. Hardy Student Center".
  21. present: Names "the campus" and "John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
  22. present: It names "campus", "all buildings on campus", and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
  23. present: It names "campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
  24. present: Names "campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific locations.
  25. present: It cites "the campus" and "The John G. Hardy Student Center", specific places.
• Guidanceabsent5/25

  Final assessment

  Majority finds only closures and cancellations with no direct protective instruction; a minority read the closure and cancellations as implied stay-away guidance.

  The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. absent: It states closures and cancellations but gives recipients no direct protective instruction.
  2. absent: It announces closures but gives recipients no protective action instruction.
  3. absent: It announces closures and cancellations but gives recipients no protective action.
  4. absent: It announces closures and cancellations but gives recipients no protective instruction.
  5. present: It tells recipients classes and activities are canceled and the campus is closed for the day.
  6. absent: It announces closures and cancellations but gives recipients no protective action to take.
  7. absent: Announces closures and cancellations but gives recipients no protective action instruction.
  8. absent: It announces closures and cancellations but gives recipients no direct protective action.
  9. absent: It announces closures and cancellations but gives no protective action to recipients.
  10. present: It tells recipients classes and activities are canceled and the student center is closed, implying stay-away guidance, plus appreciation for cooperation.
  11. present: Tells recipients activities are canceled and effectively to stay away, with cooperation requested.
  12. absent: It announces closures and cancellations but gives recipients no protective action instruction.
  13. absent: It announces closures and cancellations but gives no protective action to recipients.
  14. absent: It announces closures and cancellations but gives recipients no protective action to take.
  15. present: Tells the community the campus is closed and activities canceled, an implicit stay-away action.
  16. present: Instructs that campus and activities are canceled and the center is closed, directing recipients away.
  17. absent: No protective action is directed at recipients, only announcements of closures and cancellations.
  18. absent: It announces closures and cancellations but gives no protective action to recipients.
  19. absent: It announces closures and cancellations; no protective action instruction to recipients.
  20. absent: It announces closures and cancellations but gives recipients no protective action to take.
  21. absent: No protective action instructed to recipients; describes closures and authority actions.
  22. absent: It announces closures and cancellations but gives recipients no protective action to take.
  23. absent: It announces closures and cancellations but gives no protective instruction to recipients.
  24. absent: Announces closures and cancellations; gives recipients no protective action instruction.
  25. absent: It informs of closures and cancellations but gives recipients no protective instruction.
• Timepresent25/25

  Final assessment

  Unanimous: a specific date is stated, for the remainder of the day, Thursday, September 11, 2025.

  When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. present: It says "for the remainder of the day, Thursday, September 11, 2025", a specific date.
  2. present: "for the remainder of the day, Thursday, September 11, 2025" is a specific date.
  3. present: It states the campus is closed "Thursday, September 11, 2025", a specific date.
  4. present: It cites "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "today", date/recency cues.
  5. present: It gives the date "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "for the remainder of the day".
  6. present: It gives the date "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "the remainder of the day", clear time references.
  7. present: Gives "the remainder of the day, Thursday, September 11, 2025", a date and time reference.
  8. present: It gives the date "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "the remainder of the day", time references.
  9. present: Says "for the remainder of the day, Thursday, September 11, 2025", a specific date.
  10. present: It dates the closure "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "for the remainder of the day", time references.
  11. present: Gives the date "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "remainder of the day", conveying when.
  12. present: It gives "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "for the remainder of the day", date and recency cues.
  13. present: It gives the date "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "for the remainder of the day", time cues.
  14. present: Specifies "the remainder of the day, Thursday, September 11, 2025", clear date and time references.
  15. present: Gives the date "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "remainder of the day", conveying when.
  16. present: Gives the date "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "remainder of the day", conveying when.
  17. present: Gives "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "for the remainder of the day", date and recency cues.
  18. present: It cites "the remainder of the day, Thursday, September 11, 2025", a date and time.
  19. present: It gives dates "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "for the remainder of the day", timing.
  20. present: It gives the date "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "for the remainder of the day".
  21. present: Gives date "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "for the remainder of the day".
  22. present: It gives the date "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "for the remainder of the day", conveying timing.
  23. present: It gives the date "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "for the remainder of the day", time references.
  24. present: Gives the date "Thursday, September 11, 2025" and "remainder of the day", time references.
  25. present: It cites "the remainder of the day, Thursday, September 11, 2025", a date and time.
• Impactabsent0/25

  Final assessment

  Absent by unanimous agreement: a campus-closure notice with building-clearing details states no harm, danger, or potential consequence.

  What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. absent: Announces a closure and building clearing without stating any danger or consequence.
  2. absent: Describes campus closure and building clearing but states no specific harm or danger.
  3. absent: It announces a campus closure and building clearing but does not state any harm or how dangerous the threat is.
  4. absent: It announces a campus closure and building clearing but never states what the threat could do.
  5. absent: Announces campus closure and building clearing for safety but states no specific harm or threat consequence.
  6. absent: It announces campus closure and building clearing for safety without stating any specific harm or threat severity.
  7. absent: Describes closure and building clearing for safety but states no specific danger or harm.
  8. absent: Announces campus closure and building clearing but states no danger or potential harm.
  9. absent: Announces campus closure and building clearing as precaution without stating the threat's danger or any harm.
  10. absent: Announces closure and building clearing for safety but states no specific danger or harm.
  11. absent: Announces campus closure and building clearing for safety but states no specific danger or consequence.
  12. absent: Announces campus closure and building clearing but states no danger or potential harm.
  13. absent: Announces closure and building clearing for safety but states no specific danger or consequence.
  14. absent: Announces campus closure and building clearing but states no specific danger or consequence.
  15. absent: It announces closure and building clearing for safety but states no specific danger or consequence.
  16. absent: Announces closure and building clearing for safety but states no specific danger or consequence.
  17. absent: Announces closure and building clearing but states no danger or consequence explicitly.
  18. absent: Announces campus closure and building clearing but states no danger or consequence.
  19. absent: It announces a campus closure and building clearing for safety but states no specific danger or harm.
  20. absent: Announces campus closure and building clearing but states no specific danger or consequence.
  21. absent: Announces campus closure and building clearing but states no harm or potential consequence.
  22. absent: It announces campus closure and building clearing for safety but states no specific danger or consequence.
  23. absent: Announces closure and building clearing without stating what danger people face.
  24. absent: Announces closure and building clearing for safety but states no specific danger or harm.
  25. absent: It announces a campus closure and building clearing but states no specific danger or harm.