According to Fox 4, there is a stand off situation at the SMU campus. A man, alleged to be involved in a robbery this morning, climbed to the top of the construction crane cab near the Bush Library Residential Commons complex construction area. It is alleged that he is armed and in a stand off with Police.
The University Park and Highland Park Police as well as Campus and Dallas Police, are close to the scene and closing off the quadrant close to the SMU Campus.
Dallas Fox 4 Update
Update 2:00pm
Dallas Morning News also covering the event:
Dallas Morning News Update
Update 2:17pm
Matt Cobb, BubbleLife Park Cities News Editor
On the scene at SMU, helicopters coming and going. Dallas Morning News reported that "doors are off the left side" of the helicopter "and a sniper is in the rear. Just got word that the helicopter is back at Highland Park Middle School.
Update 4:04pm
Matt Cobb, BubbleLife Park Cities News Editor - From Press Conference Outside of Hotel Palomar Dallas
Brad Cheves, Vice President of External Affairs at SMU
- SMU Campus was closed when situation occurred and students were not on campus
- "We have secured the affected area."
- Received information about the situation at approximately 11:30am
- There were a couple of swimmers and people at the Dedman Center, which is close to the area, and they were told to leave this morning.
Melinda Gutierrez, Senior Corporal with Dallas Police Department
- SWAT team called in and currently trying to establish radio contact (there is a radio in the crane)
- "There is no power in the crane."
- No air conditioning, etc.
- No information about the suspect
- No information on his mental state
- Can't confirm that he has a gun, but treating as an armed suspect
Update 5:18pm
Dallas News Crime Blog has an update from an SMU student
Update 8:52pm
Not much to update. Talked to a cameraman from a local news station and he was able to see the man in the crane. He is not doing anything or showing any signs of surrender. As it has become dark, a spotlight is illuminating the cabin.
Update 10:15pm
According to a Tweet by SMU, if the situation lasts through the night, University employees who work in campus buildings near the site will be notified tomorrow morning about what to do. (Note: If the situation does last through the night, commuters who drive to work in the morning on Mockingbird Lane by SMU will likely need to find an alternate route.)
Update 2:30am
WFAA is reporting that the man fell from the cab of the crane, which was about 150 feet in the air, to the ground below.