COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — The University of Maryland’s main administration building was briefly evacuated after a hoax.

The university sent an alert Wednesday afternoon advising students and staff to stay away from the building due to a police incident. Police armed with guns responded to the building but cleared the scene when the threat was deemed “unfounded.”

University officials later said an anonymous call was made alerting of an armed individual holding a hostage at gunpoint.

The new fall semester started this week at the school.

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