COLUMBUS — North central Ohio residents checked in with their loved ones here at home after an active shooter was reported on The Ohio State University campus Monday morning.

At about 9:30 a.m., the university’s emergency management agency issued a tweet, saying, “Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College.”

According to the Columbus Dispatch, eight people have been transported to hospitals and a suspect has been killed.

OSU student Seth Yoder, a Temple Christian graduate from Ashland, was walking from the stadium parking lot to class at the CBEC building in north campus when he noticed emergency personnel swarm the area.

“I was not able to witness much other than the police response,” he said. “While walking to class, multiple police and fire units were rushing to the scene before the campus alert system began updating students.”

Brian Kurtz, a civil engineering student who resides in Bellville, accompanied Yoder on the way to class. He said the area near the Watts building was taped off and there were several police and fire units at the scene.

Kurtz and Yoder headed the other direction, eventually camping out in a lecture hall with over 100 other students.

“Now everyone is sheltered in place awaiting further instructions from emergency alert system or from local officers on scene,” Yoder said at 11 a.m. “The police presence is heavy all across north campus as well as news helicopters providing aerial coverage.”

At about 12:15, Kurtz said they were released and headed home.

“Classes are canceled and a good majority of north campus is blocked off or shut down,” Kurtz said.

Rylan Lee, a former Richland Source intern, lives on the south side of campus, opposite where the incident was reported to have taken place.

“It was definitely a shock,” the sophomore said.

She remained in her dorm room after receiving an alert about the situation.

Norman Jones, OSU-Mansfield’s associate dean, expressed concern for those on Columbus campus.

“We’re so sad and concerned about what’s happened,” he said.

When asked about the school’s protocol when situations like this occur, Jones responded, “We turn first to the first responders. We have an OSU police officer on campus who heads up security and we follow his lead and he’s following Columbus security’s lead.

“Right now, since we’re so far away, we’re not on lockdown, but we have sent out an alert to our students, faculty and staff, urging everyone to stay away from Columbus campus until it’s secure.”

Some students take classes on both Mansfield and Columbus campus, he said.

“If someone has a concern about a student, we can see if they’re registered for a class in Columbus,” he said.