On Dec. 3, confusion and fear spread after a video of an alleged armed individual near the University of Arizona campus circulated widely on Yik Yak — an anonymous, location-based social media app — and many social media sites.
Once the video was posted, many students became worried and scared due to the unknown details, such as location and time, of the video. “DO NOT GO OUTSIDE RN. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON,” one Yik Yak user said.
Students began sharing the footage shortly after it appeared online, with some claiming the individual was walking near campus and others saying the incident occurred roughly 10 minutes north of the university. The exact location remained unclear.
Several students reported seeing the individual walking through Greek Row, a busy residential area east of campus where many fraternity and sorority houses are located. The neighborhood, concentrated around First Street, Mountain Avenue and Cherry Avenue, is heavily trafficked by students and active throughout the evening.
“Get off row,” one Yik Yak user posted, along with many other users liking the post, showcasing high concern for students frequenting that area.
No mass UAlert notification was sent regarding a possible threat.
The UA Office of Public Safety posted a statement on Instagram a few hours after the video began circulating. “The University of Arizona Police Department is aware of a social media post circulating online that shows an individual with a weapon,” the statement read. “After reviewing the video, our agency has determined that the incident occurred off campus. As a result, the Tucson Police Department is handling the matter.”
“There is no threat to the campus community, and campus operations continue as normal,” the statement concluded.
As of Thursday night, the Tucson Police Department has not disclosed whether the individual in the video had been located or detained, or if any activity was officially detected. Students continued to share updates through Yik Yak and other social group chats, raising concerns about the absence of an emergency alert and the uncertainty of the footage’s location.
The spread of the video and the lack of clear, immediate information left many students questioning how potential threats are communicated and whether current systems are equipped to respond quickly in moments of confusion. For many, the incident highlighted a broader issue: when official guidance lags behind online rumors, students are often left to navigate fear and uncertainty on their own.
Follow the Daily Wildcat on Instagram and Twitter/X
