ORLANDO, Fla. — University of Central Florida police said an armed subject was in custody Thursday night after a Lynx driver said an individual threatened them with a gun in the area of Garage A on campus.
On Friday morning, police identified the suspect as Takuya Takahashi, but they provided no other information.
#UCFAlert: ALL CLEAR. Suspect with weapon in custody. Shelter in place lifted.
— UCF Police Department (@UCFPolice) January 19, 2024
UCF Police Chief Carl Metzger said that the incident started at around 8 p.m. when the male subject was reportedly denied entry to a Lynx bus on campus. When the driver wouldn't let the man on, he allegedly pulled a gun on the driver.
Several witnesses on the bus contacted police and a campus-wide alert was sent out about the incident. No shots were fired, police said.
#UCFAlert: Armed intruder reported near Parking Garage A. Police responding. Avoid the area or shelter in place if nearby.
— UCF Police Department (@UCFPolice) January 19, 2024
Metzger said the Orange County Sheriff's Office and Seminole County Sheriff's Office assisted in the search. About an hour later, investigators said that through police patrol and surveillance cameras, the suspect was located and taken into custody. He was carrying a firearm at the time, Metzger said.
According to a map of UCF's campus, Garage A is located near the intersection of University and Gemini boulevards.
The man had no connection to the university, Metzger said.
As of Thursday night, Metzger said officer were still investigating the incident.
"We train for this, we practice for it and we're ready for these types of incidents," he said. "The subject is being interviewed as we speak. We don't know his background or much about him at this point."
According to information from the UCF Police Department, charges in the case are pending.
No other information on the incident was immediately released.
#UCFAlert: UCFPD received report of person who threatened Lynx driver with gun. Officers searching for suspect. Avoid Garage A area & shelter in place.
— UCF Police Department (@UCFPolice) January 19, 2024
An open sharing space for information and questions with representatives from Counseling and Psychological Services and the UCF Police Department will be available for the campus community from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Student Union 218.