Campus Alert Archive
Penn

Lane Delineators Sound Like Gunshots: How a Speeding Car Triggered a UPennAlert 'SHOTS FIRED' Panic on Walnut Street

PApolice activityemergency notificationmedium confidence
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 September 19, 2024, at 5:05 PM, Penn issued a UPennAlert warning of 'SHOTS FIRED' at 39th and Walnut streets after witnesses reported hearing what sounded like gunfire. Two individuals were arrested after fleeing a vehicle stop by Philadelphia Police. The sounds perceived as gunshots were actually a speeding car running over bike lane delineators. An all-clear was issued at 5:35 PM.

Alerts
2
Response
—
Killed
0
Injured
0
Institution
University of Pennsylvania
Private R1 · PA
~28,306 studentsUPennAlert
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

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 reconstruction114 chars
UPennAlert: SHOTS FIRED in the area of 39th and Walnut. Avoid the area. Seek shelter if nearby. Updates to follow.

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

The Daily Pennsylvanian quotes the alert as warning 'SHOTS FIRED' at 39th and Walnut streets; the alert was issued at 5:05 PM EDT on September 19, 2024
39th and Walnut is a major intersection in the heart of Penn's University City campus, near dining and residential facilities
No shots were actually fired; the sounds came from a speeding car running over bike lane delineators
ALL CLEARSMS+30 min
Verified verbatimDaily Pennsylvanian quoting the updated UPennAlert verbatim116 chars
While initial reports stated gun shots had been fired, upon investigation it was determined no shots had been fired.
Verbatim text from the updated UPennAlert as directly quoted by the Daily Pennsylvanian: 'While initial reports stated gun shots had been fired, upon investigation it was determined no shots had been fired.'
The all-clear was issued at 5:35 PM EDT, exactly 30 minutes after the initial alert
Investigation determined no shots were fired; the perceived gunshots were caused by the vehicle striking bike lane delineators while fleeing police
Context

Background

On September 19, 2024, the University of Pennsylvania sent a UPennAlert at 5:05 PM warning of SHOTS FIRED at 39th and Walnut streets, a major intersection on campus. Philadelphia Police officers had been conducting a vehicle investigation on Walnut Street when the driver began driving erratically, swerving into the bike lane and knocking down the delineators designed to block cars. The sounds of the car hitting the plastic delineators were mistaken for gunshots by witnesses. Two individuals fled the vehicle and were apprehended on campus: one near the Tangen Center on Sansom Street and the other near Perry World House. Neither suspect was armed. An all-clear was issued at 5:35 PM. The incident later prompted criticism from faculty who questioned whether the alert's language unnecessarily heightened fear on campus.
Analysis

Key Findings

The false alarm lasted only 30 minutes from initial alert to all-clear, demonstrating rapid resolution
Bike lane delineators being struck by a speeding car produced sounds that multiple witnesses interpreted as gunshots
The incident prompted discussion about whether UPennAlert language could be more measured to avoid unnecessary panic
Outcome
No shots were actually fired. Two individuals were arrested on campus after fleeing a Philadelphia Police vehicle stop. Neither suspect was armed. The entire incident from alert to all-clear lasted 30 minutes.
Provenance

Sources

  1. Student Paper
    Two individuals arrested on Penn's campus after fleeing vehicle stop (Daily Pennsylvanian)
    thedp.com
  2. Student Paper
    UPennAlert scare tactics (Daily Pennsylvanian opinion)
    thedp.com
  3. Official
    UPennAlert Notifications (Penn DPS)
    publicsafety.upenn.edu
Tags
false-alarmshots-firedpolice-activityvehicle-chasepennsylvaniaivy-leagueprivate-universityUnfounded
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion