Parts of the Missouri State University campus were locked down Tuesday morning, including the child-care center and student housing at Sun Villa, as police searched for and eventually found a man who had pointed a gun at an officer.
Springfield police at 8:31 a.m. spotted a man and a woman who were doing two things — going through a trash can and trying to break into a vehicle, according to spokeswoman Cris Swaters.
They were at the 600 block of East Bear Boulevard — between Kimbrough and Holland avenues.
The officer stopped and asked for the man to identify himself, according to police. The suspect pointed a gun at the officer. The man then fled and the officer pursued on foot.
Police brought in a canine to help track the suspect, who was found at 10:17 a.m. in the 600 block of East Bear Boulevard.
No shots were fired and no one was hurt, police said.
The suspect was arrested under suspicion of assault on a special victim and unlawful use of a weapon, police said.
Few students are on campus this week because of spring break, but some faculty members are present, as well as staff, said Andrea Mostyn, a university spokeswoman. The Hauxeda is also located on the campus.
“We did lockdown the buildings in that area,” Mostyn said.
The daycare center sent out a message to parents and guardians stating:
“We just had a visit from campus safety. Police are in the area of the MSU campus searching for a suspect that fled from police. As a precautionary measure, safety came by to check on the CDC (child care center.) We were advised to lock down the facility as a safety measure. We will keep you apprised of any information as we have it.”