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Suspicious person prompts lockdown, canceled classes at R.I. college

“All classes and activities on the Warwick Campus are canceled for the remainder of the day and evening,” the college posted to social media.

Main entrance of CCRI's Warwick campus. CCRI

April 7, 2026

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Classes were canceled at a Rhode Island college on Tuesday due to a report of a suspicious man entering the area with a suspected weapon, police said.

“Out of an abundance of caution, and in coordination with the Warwick Police Department, the college implemented a lockdown while law enforcement responded,” Rosemary A. Costigan, president of the college, wrote in an email to students.

On Tuesday morning, the Community College of Rhode Island‘s Warwick campus was thrown into an hours-long lockdown after police were notified of a suspicious man walking into the surrounding woods with what appeared to be a gun, police said in a Facebook post.

“Lockdown at the Warwick campus. Based on location, decide to run, hide, or fight. Seek shelter, turn off lights and silence your cell phone. Wait for all-clear,” CCRI posted on social media.

The man was spotted wearing a backpack with what appeared to be the butt of a firearm sticking out, Warwick police said in a press release.

All schools in the Toll Gate area were put on lockdown or shelter in place, police said.

Authorities began searching for the potential suspect, primarily in the woodlands along Commonwealth Avenue, Warwick police said

Police brought in K-9 units and drones to help search the area, the department said.

Warwick police located a backpack that matched the description the one the person of interest was wearing. Inside the backpack was an airsoft gun and a black pellet rifle, R.I. police said.

Classes and activities were canceled for the remainder of the day, the college wrote on social media.

In coordination with the Warwick PD, the lockdown at the Warwick Campus has been lifted. All classes and activities on the Warwick Campus are canceled for the remainder of the day and evening. pic.twitter.com/MviVswHASs
— Community College of Rhode Island (@CCRINews) April 7, 2026

Police have not located the person of interest, but “have information on who he is” and are still looking for him, the department said.

“This event appears to have been isolated activity and there was never any known threat to area schools, businesses, or residents,” Warwick police said.