Campus Alert Archive
CC

Active-shooter alert sent in error during a training session; corrected 18 minutes later

AI-generated · every claim is source-linked
WYothertesthigh confidence
Compare →
UnfoundedNo evidence of an actual threat was found. The institutional response is documented because the alert communication is identical to what would occur during a real incident.

On Thursday night, December 19, 2019, Casper College accidentally sent an active-shooter alert naming Liesinger Hall at 7:56 p.m. MST during a CC Alert training session. The first message told recipients to shelter in place or evacuate; about 18 minutes later the college sent a correction explaining the alert had been sent in error during a system training session.

Alerts
2
Response
—
Killed
—
Injured
—
Institution
Casper College
Community College · WY
All CC cases →
~4,000 studentsCC Alert
Official alert policy
Read when and how CC says it will use CC Alert: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence · 2 verified verbatim

INITIAL ALERTFacebook
Verified verbatimOil City News, quoting the official Casper College CC Alert Facebook post106 chars
CC Alert: There's an Active Shooter at Liesinger Hall. Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so.
The message uses 'There's' rather than the more formal 'There is,' and offers a binary 'shelter in place or evacuate' instruction modeled on the federal Run-Hide-Fight framework.
The alert named a specific building, Liesinger Hall (a real Casper College facility) which made the erroneous message feel especially credible to recipients.
The verbatim text is quoted directly from Oil City News' reproduction of the college's Facebook post; it was sent at 7:56 p.m. MST during a CC Alert training session.
CORRECTIONFacebook+18 min
Verified verbatimOil City News, quoting the official Casper College CC Alert correction post148 chars
CC Alert: The previous message was sent in error and occurred during a training session for the CC Alert system. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
The correction came about 18 minutes after the false alert, naming the training session as the cause and apologizing, a direct, no-jargon retraction.
Calling the retraction itself a 'CC Alert' kept the institutional voice consistent so recipients would trust the correction as much as the original.
The verbatim text is quoted directly from Oil City News' reproduction of the college's Facebook correction post.
Message elements

How the first alert is built

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.

CC Alert: There's an Active Shooter at Liesinger Hall. Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so.

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree the message opens with the branded CC Alert signature, identifying Casper College as the 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 opens with "CC Alert", a branded sender signature.
    2. present: The "CC Alert" branded signature identifies the sender.
    3. present: It opens with "CC Alert", a branded signature identifying the sender.
    4. present: Opens with the branded signature "CC Alert", identifying the sender.
    5. present: It opens with the branded signature "CC Alert", identifying the sender.
    6. present: The message opens with "CC Alert", a branded signature identifying the sender.
    7. present: The branded signature "CC Alert" identifies the sender.
    8. present: It opens with the branded signature "CC Alert", identifying the sender.
    9. present: It opens "CC Alert", a branded sender signature.
    10. present: The branded signature "CC Alert" identifies the sender.
    11. present: It opens with the branded signature "CC Alert", identifying the sender.
    12. present: The branded signature "CC Alert" identifies the sender.
    13. present: It opens with "CC Alert", a branded signature identifying the sender.
    14. present: The branded tag "CC Alert" identifies the sender.
    15. present: It opens with "CC Alert", identifying the Casper College sender.
    16. present: The "CC Alert" tag identifies the sender, Casper College.
    17. present: The signature "CC Alert" identifies Casper College as the sender.
    18. present: The branded "CC Alert" identifies Casper College as the sender.
    19. present: It opens with the branded signature "CC Alert", identifying the sender.
    20. present: It opens with "CC Alert", identifying Casper College as the sender.
    21. present: It opens with the branded signature "CC Alert", identifying the sender.
    22. present: It opens with "CC Alert", a branded signature identifying the sender.
    23. present: It opens with the branded signature "CC Alert", identifying the sender.
    24. present: The branded signature "CC Alert" identifies the sender.
    25. present: The "CC Alert" signature identifies the sender.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree it names an Active Shooter, a specific 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. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    2. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    3. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    4. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    5. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    6. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    7. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    8. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    9. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    10. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    11. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    12. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    13. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    14. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    15. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    16. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific hazard.
    17. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    18. present: It names "an Active Shooter," a specific threat.
    19. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    20. present: It names the hazard: "an Active Shooter".
    21. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    22. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    23. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    24. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
    25. present: It names "an Active Shooter", a specific threat.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree it cites Liesinger Hall, a specific building.

    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 says "at Liesinger Hall", a specific building.
    2. present: It cites "Liesinger Hall", a specific building.
    3. present: It cites "Liesinger Hall", a specific building.
    4. present: It specifies "Liesinger Hall".
    5. present: It names "Liesinger Hall", a specific place.
    6. present: It says "at Liesinger Hall", a specific place.
    7. present: It locates it "at Liesinger Hall", a specific building.
    8. present: It names "Liesinger Hall", a specific building.
    9. present: It cites "Liesinger Hall", a specific building.
    10. present: It says "at Liesinger Hall", a specific building.
    11. present: It specifies "Liesinger Hall", a specific building.
    12. present: It cites "Liesinger Hall", a specific building.
    13. present: It cites "Liesinger Hall", a specific location.
    14. present: It locates it "at Liesinger Hall".
    15. present: It cites "Liesinger Hall", a specific building.
    16. present: It locates it "at Liesinger Hall".
    17. present: It specifies "Liesinger Hall", a precise location.
    18. present: It cites "Liesinger Hall," a specific building.
    19. present: It locates it "at Liesinger Hall", a specific building.
    20. present: It specifies "Liesinger Hall".
    21. present: It says "at Liesinger Hall", a specific building.
    22. present: It names "Liesinger Hall", a specific place.
    23. present: It names "Liesinger Hall" as the location.
    24. present: It specifies "Liesinger Hall", a named building.
    25. present: It specifies "Liesinger Hall", a named building.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree it instructs recipients to Shelter in place or evacuate if it is safe to do so, clear protective actions.

    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. present: It instructs recipients to "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    2. present: It instructs "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    3. present: It instructs recipients to "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    4. present: It instructs "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so".
    5. present: It instructs "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    6. present: It instructs "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    7. present: It instructs "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    8. present: It instructs people to "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so".
    9. present: It instructs "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    10. present: It instructs recipients to "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe", protective actions.
    11. present: It instructs people to "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    12. present: It instructs recipients to "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    13. present: It instructs recipients to "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    14. present: It instructs "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    15. present: It instructs "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    16. present: It instructs "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    17. present: It instructs to "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    18. present: It instructs recipients to "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so."
    19. present: It instructs "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    20. present: It instructs recipients to "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so".
    21. present: It instructs "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    22. present: It instructs recipients to "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so."
    23. present: It instructs recipients to "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    24. present: It instructs "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe to do so", protective actions.
    25. present: It instructs recipients to "Shelter in place or evacuate if it's safe", protective actions.
  • Timeabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree no clock time, date, or recency word appears; Active is part of the hazard, not a time cue.

    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. absent: No clock time, date, or recency word such as "now" appears.
    2. absent: No clock time, date, or recency word appears in the text.
    3. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears (Active is part of the hazard).
    4. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
    5. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears, since "active" is part of the hazard.
    6. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears; "Active Shooter" is hazard not time.
    7. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears; "Active" is part of the hazard.
    8. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue such as "now" or "immediately" appears.
    9. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue is present.
    10. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears; "Active Shooter" is the hazard, not a time cue.
    11. absent: No clock time, date, or recency word appears; "active" is part of the hazard.
    12. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
    13. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue such as "now" appears.
    14. absent: No clock time, date, or recency word like "now" appears in the text.
    15. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue such as "now" appears in the text.
    16. absent: No clock time, date, or recency word such as "now" appears.
    17. absent: No clock time, date, or recency word appears; "active shooter" is the hazard, not a time cue.
    18. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
    19. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue such as "now" or "immediately" appears.
    20. absent: No clock time, date, or recency word is present.
    21. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears.
    22. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears; "Active Shooter" is part of the hazard.
    23. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue such as "now" or "immediately" appears.
    24. absent: No clock time, date, or recency word appears in the text.
    25. absent: No clock time, date, or recency cue appears in the text.
  • Impactabsent9/25

    Final assessment

    Absent by a 16 to 9 majority; most reads find it only names an active shooter and gives shelter-or-evacuate guidance without stating harm or what the threat could do, while the dissent infers lethal danger from the hazard name.

    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. present: Reports an active shooter and directs people to shelter or evacuate, implying danger to people.
    2. absent: Reports an active shooter and to shelter or evacuate but states no actual harm or danger.
    3. absent: It reports an active shooter and tells people to shelter or evacuate but states no harm or what the threat could do beyond naming it.
    4. present: It reports an active shooter at a hall and tells people to shelter or evacuate, implying a danger to people.
    5. absent: Reports an active shooter and to shelter or evacuate but states no specific harm or consequence.
    6. absent: It reports an active shooter and shelter or evacuate but states no injury or explicit danger.
    7. absent: Reports an active shooter and shelter in place but states no explicit harm or severity.
    8. absent: Reports an active shooter and shelter in place but states no actual harm or explicit danger.
    9. present: Reports an active shooter and tells people to shelter or evacuate, implying danger to people.
    10. absent: Reports an active shooter and says shelter or evacuate but states no explicit harm or danger.
    11. absent: Reports an active shooter and tells people to shelter or evacuate but states no harm or consequence.
    12. present: Reports an active shooter with shelter or evacuate instructions, implying a danger to people present.
    13. present: Reports an active shooter and instructs sheltering or evacuating implying danger to people.
    14. absent: Reports an active shooter and to shelter or evacuate but states no explicit harm or severity.
    15. absent: It reports an active shooter with shelter or evacuate guidance but no harm or injury is stated.
    16. absent: Reports an active shooter and directs sheltering but states no explicit harm beyond naming the hazard.
    17. present: Reports an active shooter and directs sheltering or evacuation, implying danger to people.
    18. absent: Names an active shooter and shelter or evacuate but does not state harm beyond naming the hazard.
    19. absent: It reports an active shooter and tells people to shelter or evacuate but states no injury or explicit danger beyond the hazard name.
    20. absent: Reports an active shooter and to shelter or evacuate but no injury or explicit danger statement is given.
    21. present: Reports an active shooter and instructs shelter or evacuation, conveying danger to people.
    22. absent: It reports an active shooter and tells people to shelter or evacuate but states no specific harm or danger.
    23. present: Reports an active shooter at the hall and tells people to shelter or evacuate, implying lethal danger.
    24. present: Reports an active shooter at a hall and orders shelter or evacuation, conveying lethal danger.
    25. absent: It reports an active shooter and tells people to shelter or evacuate but states no explicit potential harm.

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

Casper College is a community college in Casper, Wyoming. On the evening of December 19, 2019, Oil City News reported that the college sent an active-shooter alert at 7:56 p.m. MST naming Liesinger Hall, then issued a correction explaining the message had been sent in error during a CC Alert training session. K2 Radio similarly reported there was no shooter and that the alert stemmed from a training session. The episode is a clean example of a recurring campus-notification failure: a drill or training message escaping into the live alert channel. Because the message named a specific real building, it carried more credibility than a generic test, raising the stakes of the rapid correction. Casper College documents its alerting infrastructure on its CC Alert page. The college had previously been cautious about its alert system after other regional scares, and the fast 18-minute correction limited the spread of unnecessary alarm.
Analysis

Key Findings

A training-session message escaped into Casper College's live CC Alert channel, broadcasting a false active-shooter warning that named a real building
The verbatim alert and its correction are both confirmed from a primary-source reproduction of the official Facebook posts
The college issued a plain-language correction about 18 minutes later, illustrating how a pre-drafted retraction limits the damage of a mis-sent drill
Outcome
There was no shooter. The college issued a correction confirming the alert was sent in error during a CC Alert training session and apologized for the inconvenience.
Provenance

Sources

  1. News
    Casper College: Report of active shooter was false alarm - Oil City News
    oilcity.news
    archived copy
  2. News
    False Alarm: No Shooter at Casper College - K2 Radio
    k2radio.com
    archived copy
  3. Official
    CC Alert - Casper College
    caspercollege.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Casper College: Active-shooter alert sent in error during a training session; corrected 18 minutes later." Incident of December 19, 2019. Added May 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/casper-college-liesinger-hall-false-alarm-2019-12-19/

Download case JSON

Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
false-alarmtraining-errornotification-errorwyomingcommunity-collegecasperactive-shooter-false-alarmUnfounded
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion