Fans able to leave Kohl Center following ‘police situation’ outside

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Fans were able to leave the Kohl Center Tuesday night after they were ordered to shelter in place following the Wisconsin men’s basketball game against Wake Forest.

Fans inside of the Kohl Center told NBC15 that they were told not to leave the building at the end of the game. A graphic on the scoreboard monitor read, “Due to a Police Situation Outside The Kohl Center, We Are Asking All Guests to Remain in the Building Until Further Notice.”

An officer with Madison Police Department said earlier that it was investigating a tip of a sighting of the State Street shooting suspect from earlier in the day downtown and said UWPD was aware. An MPD spokesperson said around 11:40 p.m. that this tip ultimately proved to be false.

UWPD has also released a statement confirming their decision to keep fans inside was a precaution, and that many fans exiting the Kohl Center at one time could impede on the investigation. It also clarified why an emergency alert was not issued, saying the situation was never a threat to the campus or to Kohl Center fans.

At the time of the tip, a sergeant ordered that fans remain inside of the Kohl Center as a precautionary measure. MPD said that the officer knew the amount of pedestrian traffic downtown would be heavy after the game and the agency wanted to reduce any risks until they deemed it was safe to let people out.

In a statement from UW Athletics posted on Twitter, it said Madison Police Department requested that fans remain inside the Kohl Center at the end of the game out of an abundance of caution. The organization stated that fans were told around 10:40 p.m. that they could leave the arena and that there was an elevated police presence outside of the building.

There is no confirmed description of the suspect in the State Street shooting.

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