Campus Alert Archive
OSU

Crossfire on High Street: Shootout Near Campus Triggers Shelter-in-Place as Graduate Student Hit by Debris

OHshootingemergency notificationmedium confidence
Confirmed Threat

On September 18, 2024, a Buckeye Alert was issued at approximately 6:25 PM after two individuals shot at each other near 11th Avenue and North High Street, a major intersection adjacent to the Ohio State campus. A graduate student was struck by a bullet fragment or debris, sustaining minor injuries. The campus shelter-in-place was lifted at approximately 7:30 PM.

Alerts
3
Response
—
Killed
—
Injured
—
Institution
The Ohio State University
Public R1 · OH
~61,677 studentsBuckeye Alert
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

3 messages in sequence

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTSMS
Approximate reconstruction134 chars
BUCKEYE ALERT: Report of shooting at North High Street and East 11th Avenue. Avoid the area and remain indoors. Police are responding.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from The Lantern and ABC6 coverage; the initial Buckeye Alert was sent at approximately 6:25 PM EDT on September 18, 2024
North High Street and 11th Avenue is a heavily trafficked intersection on the southern edge of the University District
UPDATESMS
Approximate reconstruction162 chars
BUCKEYE ALERT UPDATE: Shooting investigation continues at 11th Avenue and North High Street. Continue to shelter in place and avoid the area until further notice.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from The Lantern coverage; multiple Buckeye Alerts directed everyone on campus to shelter in place
Columbus Police Division was the primary responding agency as the incident occurred off campus
ALL CLEARSMS+1h 5m
Approximate reconstruction179 chars
BUCKEYE ALERT UPDATE: Suspects are believed to have fled the area. The shelter-in-place advisory has been lifted. If you have information, contact Columbus Police at 614-645-4545.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from The Lantern coverage; the shelter-in-place was lifted approximately one hour after the initial alert
The suspects were not identified or apprehended at the time of the all-clear
Context

Background

On the evening of September 18, 2024, two unaffiliated individuals engaged in a shootout near the intersection of 11th Avenue and North High Street, one of the busiest corridors of the Ohio State campus area. The Columbus Division of Police responded as the primary agency since the incident was off campus. A Buckeye Alert was issued at approximately 6:25 PM EDT, directing students to avoid the area and remain indoors. A graduate student was struck by a bullet fragment or debris, sustaining a minor scratch, and a bullet also struck a parked vehicle with two occupants who were not injured. The shelter-in-place was lifted around 7:30 PM after suspects were believed to have fled. This shooting came just two days after a September 16 shooting near Olentangy River Road, prompting Ohio State to increase police presence and surveillance in the University District and join forces with Columbus to address rising crime near campus.
Analysis

Key Findings

Two shootings within two days near campus prompted Ohio State to significantly increase police presence and surveillance
The shooters were unaffiliated with the university, highlighting the challenge of off-campus violence spilling into campus zones
Ohio State subsequently partnered with the city of Columbus to enhance safety in the University District
Outcome
The two shooters fled the area and were not immediately identified. Neither was affiliated with Ohio State. The graduate student sustained only a scratch from debris. A bullet struck a vehicle with two occupants, but they were uninjured.
Provenance

Sources

  1. Student Paper
    Graduate student injured after shooting at 11th Avenue and North High Street, suspects remain at large (The Lantern)
    thelantern.com
  2. News
    Ohio State police investigating shooting south of campus; 1 struck by bullet fragment (10TV)
    10tv.com
  3. Student Paper
    Redoubling security: Ohio State increases police presence following shootings (The Lantern)
    thelantern.com
  4. Official
    Ohio State News Alert: University working with city to address crime (Ohio State News)
    news.osu.edu
Tags
shootingcrossfireoff-campusohiobig-tenbuckeye-alertshelter-in-placenorth-high-streetuniversity-district
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion