Witnesses: Pepper Spray Discharge In Ladies Restroom Sparks Union Evacuation

Update 3 at 6:20 PM, 9/10/12- UCF Student Union officials confirm it was an accidental pepper spray discharge that caused the building to be shutdown. It’s now reopened.

KnightNews.com talked to students who said it went off in the ladies restroom. Listen to some interviews we grabbed with students there at the time.

Update 2:

The entire UCF student union was blocked off today reportedly due to a large amount of pepper spray that had been released in the building, affecting many students in the atrium.

The building had been blocked for several hours, mid-afternoon today. Many police officers were present, as well as about four firetrucks and other emergency vehicles, and five or so police cars. Three helicopters were seen hovering over the entire campus.

All students were evacuated from the building as soon as the incident was known. Another test was said to be done to determine if the area is safe or not, and if it is, the building will re-open. No other details are currently known, as far as how many were affected and such, but an update will be on its way as soon as possible.

More information can be found by calling Community Relations 407-823-2165 tomorrow, for a more detailed recap of the event, according to Randy Sulter, a Patrol for UCF’s Public Safety and Police.

Original Breaking Story:

A Hazmat team has been called to UCF.

Currently the Student Union is roped off. We are unsure of any further details at this time.

Reports say either mace or tear gas may have been released.

Check back on this breaking news story.

-KnightNews.com’s Eric Py, Kendra Semmen, Jake Sadowsky & Cliff Jett contributed to this report.