Update on Possible Armed Intruder Incident (8/21/2025)
UTC Community:
Today, August 21, 2025, at approximately 12:29 PM, the Hamilton County 911 Emergency Communications District (HC911) received an emergency telephone call indicating that there was an active shooter at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) campus. HC911 immediately notified the UTC Police Department (UTCPD) Emergency Communications Center. The UTC Police Department, Chattanooga Police Department (CPD), Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD), and Hamilton County Emergency Medical Service (HCEMS) immediately responded. Additional local, state, and federal agencies responded immediately thereafter to assist, including the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Department of Safety & Homeland Security Special Agents, Tennessee Park Rangers, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The UTC Library, University Center, and Fletcher Hall were quickly and methodically cleared by law enforcement to ensure there was no danger to the community. Members of the UTC community were advised to “Run. Hide. Fight.” consistent with the University’s response to armed intruder incidents. Individuals who evacuated did so without incident. Once law enforcement ensured that there was no longer a threat to the UTC community, all students and employees were advised that all University classes and activities were cancelled, and that they may leave campus for the remainder of the day. There was no evidence of any shooting or other threat to the community, and no injuries were reported. The University extends its gratitude to our first responder partner agencies for their prompt response and unwavering support of our community.
All classes and activities will resume on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 8:00 AM. Employees should report at their scheduled start time.
This incident is actively under investigation by the UTCPD, CPD, HCSO, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). If you have any information about this incident, please call the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357.
Lost & Found
Students, employees, and other guests who left their personal belongings in any buildings may retrieve those items from the respective buildings. Unclaimed items should be brought to the UTC Police Department (located in the Administrative Services Building) and may be retrieved from that same location.
Campus Resources
The Counseling Center will offer individual counseling sessions for students impacted during their regular hours of operation. To make an appointment, students should call (423) 425-4438 or visit University Center, Room 128, between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM.
Faculty, staff, and students can share names of individuals they are concerned about (students or employees) by submitting a Community Member of Concern Form (www.utc.edu/coc), emailing [email protected] (for students) and [email protected] (for employees).
Students and employees experiencing crisis after hours should be referred to the UTC CARE line at (423) 425-CARE (2273), to be connected to after-hours services including crisis counseling.
Employees impacted may utilize support available through the Here4TN Emotional Wellbeing Solutions (EWS). Employees and their eligible dependents, regardless of whether they participate in the Group Insurance Program, who may be experiencing personal or workplace problems, may access the Emotional Wellbeing Solutions (EWS). EWS services are provided at no cost and all services are strictly confidential and can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 1-855-HERE4TN (1-855-437-3486). The EWS can help with issues such as family and relationships; child and elder care; anxiety and depression; workplace conflicts; dealing with addiction; grief and loss; legal and financial issues; work/life balance. Individuals receive up to five (5) free counseling sessions per episode at no cost to the participant; however, sessions must be pre-authorized by calling 1-855-HERE4TN (1-855-437-3486).
The University is working with partners to secure additional support services for our community.
Message issued on 8/21/2025 at 4:00 PM
Public Safety to host Self-Defense Training
UTC Community:
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) offers Community Safety Trainings throughout the academic year to educate and prepare community members on how to keep themselves and others safe.
On August 25 & 26, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM, DPS will offer R.A.D. Self-Defense training. R.A.D. Systems curriculum takes a “holistic approach to self-defense education by supporting the necessity of continuous learning in order to provide realistic options”. This course is taught by UTC Public Safety personnel through lecture, discussion, and physical resistive strategies training.
Can’t make the training but interested in a future date? Let us know! Visit go.utc.edu/dps-register and click “I am interested in this training but cannot attend any of the listed dates”.
For more information about the Community Safety Training program, visit go.utc.edu/dps-training.
Public Safety Advisory: HVAC Outage 6/19/25 – 6/21/25
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Facilities Planning and Management at (423) 425-2254.
Message issued on 6/16/2025 at 4:30 PM
UTC Community:
The Department of Facilities Planning and Management (FPM) has advised that they will be conducting required maintenance to the University’s Chilled Water System from Thursday, June 19, 2025 through Saturday, June 21, 2025. As a result, the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in certain facilities will be inoperable during the specified dates. Impacted facilities include: Bretske Hall, Fletcher Hall, Founders Hall, Hooper Hall, and Race Hall. Employees working in these facilities should speak with their supervisor about an alternate work location if they anticipate being affected by this outage.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Facilities Planning and Management at (423) 425-2254.
Message issued on 6/16/2025 at 4:30 PM
UTC-ALERT: Timely Warning – Assault and Aggravated Criminal Trespassing
This is a Timely Warning regarding crimes that were reported to have occurred on University-owned, controlled, or adjacent property.
The UTC Police Department (UTCPD) has received several reports regarding alleged criminal conduct by a former member of the UTC community:
On Monday, April 14, 2025, a student reported that an individual was found in the laundry room of Lockmiller Apartments (720 Oak Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403) without permission. The student reported that the individual, later identified as the accused, inappropriately touched her during that time.
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, UTC staff reported that the accused had entered the University Center (651 Vine Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403) and visited one or more offices during business hours the prior week (April 8, 2025 or April 9, 2025). The accused was previously trespassed from University-owned and controlled property in April 2024.
On Thursday, April 17, 2025, a student reported that on the evening of Wednesday, April 16, 2025, while working in the UTC Library (600 Douglas Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403), they observed an individual, later identified as the accused, taking potentially inappropriate photos of females.
The accused has been identified as Mr. Gabriel Montesinos Corzo, 28, of Chattanooga, TN. UTCPD took Mr. Montesinos Corzo into custody today, April 17, 2025, without incident. He has been charged with Assault (T.C.A. § 39-13-101) and Aggravated Criminal Trespassing (T.C.A. § 39-14-406) in connection with the incidents reported to UTCPD. Mr. Montesinos Corzo was also arrested on a warrant for Assault (T.C.A. § 39-13-101) related to an incident reported to the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD).
If you have any information about the incidents mentioned above, please call the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357.
If you see Mr. Montesinos Corzo on UTC property, immediately call the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357 or 911.
NOTE: The allegations and charges are accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
About UTC-ALERT: Timely Warnings
Timely Warnings are issued by the UTC Department of Public Safety in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (20 U.S. Code § 1092; 34 CFR 668.46e). The University takes its duty to protect the community seriously. Informing the UTC community regarding reported crimes allows community members to be situationally aware, make educated decisions about their personal safety, and be reminded of how to access University and community resources.
Safety Tips:
General
Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
Follow your instincts. Safety is the priority.
If you feel you are in danger, take action. Move away from the threat, cross the street, increase your pace, or run to safety.
Report all suspicious activity (persons, vehicles, and activities), even if you are not directly threatened, to the UTC Police Department at (423) 425-HELP/4357.
If you or someone you know is a victim of a crime, we encourage you to report the incident as soon as possible. This allows for appropriate measures to be taken for your safety and the safety of others.
Reporting & Resources:
Report a crime on-campus
From any cellular or off-campus telephone, call (423) 425-HELP/4357.
From any on-campus telephone, dial 911.
Press the “HELP” button at any Blue Light Call Box or Emergency Call Box.
Report a crime off-campus
From any telephone, dial 911.
UTC Resources
UTCares: (423) 425-CARE/2273.
Counseling Center: (423) 425-4438.
Office of the Dean of Students: (423) 425-4761
Office of Student Outreach & Support: (423) 425-2299.
Chattanooga / Hamilton County Resources
Chattanooga Police Department – Victim Services: (423) 643-5351.
District Attorney’s Office for the 11th Judicial District – Victim/Witness Coordinator: (423) 209-7400.
Message issued on 4/17/2025 at 5:00 PM
Public Safety Advisory: Weather for 3/30/25 – 3/31/25
UTC Community:
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Chattanooga/Hamilton County area. Isolated storms are possible this evening (3/30/2025), with a line of strong to severe storms moving into the area late tonight through Monday morning (3/31/2025). The greatest threat will be on Monday morning between 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM with the potential for damaging winds and large hail.
The Department of Public Safety is actively monitoring conditions with City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and State of Tennessee first-responder agencies.
For more information or to view current weather conditions, visit weather.gov.
Personal Safety Please be weather-aware and take appropriate precautions during this inclement weather.
Students who are unable to make it to campus safely due to local road conditions should inform their course instructors as soon as possible and seek reasonable accommodations. Students will be expected to complete all work within the limits set by their faculty member.
Faculty members who are unable to make it to campus safely due to local road conditions should work with their Department Head/School Director as described by the UTC Faculty Handbook.
Staff members who are unable to make it to campus safely due to local road conditions should contact their supervisor.
Updates Updates will be shared via the UTC-ALERT system. For more information, visit utc.edu/UTC-ALERT.
