The Forum

At around 10:30 a.m. on June 25, STLCC students and staff were alerted that the Florissant Valley campus had been put under lockdown. The notice, sent through the college’s emergency alert system, instructed those on campus at the time to shelter in place immediately, explaining “officers are responding to a serious situation on the STLCC Florissant Valley campus.” Those sheltering were told to find a room with a locking door, close windows and blinds, and to “not leave a safe space until further instructions indicate it is safe to do so.” No further information was given until the lockdown was lifted roughly 15 minutes later.

After the incident, STLCC Chancellor Jeff Pittman emailed a short statement to college employees: “Dear STLCC Community, The lockdown at STLCC- Florissant Valley is all clear. St. Louis County Police identified a subject not currently affiliated with the College, with possible self-harm intentions. They were in the vicinity of the campus, as determined by cell phone records. STLCC police initiated lockdown procedures and swept the campus for the subject. The subject was apprehended quickly and is in police custody. Thank you to our STLCC police for their quick response in support of the safety of our STLCC community. Regards, Jeff Pittman, PhD Chancellor” 

The Forum reached out to STLCC Campus Police Captain Benjamin Talley for more information on the lockdown. According to him, “the subject was located in the first-floor men’s restroom of the Instructional Resources Building. He was found hiding in a bathroom stall. STLCCPD Officers were able to take the subject into protective custody with no injuries to the subject or Officers.” The subject was having a mental health crisis and was unarmed, said Talley. The police investigation found that he did not pose a threat to the safety of STLCC students or staff; rather, the lockdown and shelter in place order was sent “out of an abundance of caution following emergency notification procedures from the Clery Act.” STLCC campus police were notified about the emergency by The St. Louis County Police Department, who aided campus police in searching Flo Valley. 

“I am proud of the response from all the STLCCPD staff members who aided during this incident. Their quick response and action kept the STLCC Florissant Valley Community safe,” Benjamin Talley wrote in an email. In the same email, he noted that there are mental health support services for those on campus: “If you need help with a non-emergency mental health issue, please contact STLCC Counseling at 314-539-5151, or counseling@stlcc.edu.” If you are in crisis, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, chat with support staff at 988lifeline.org, visit or call Behavioral Health Response at 314-819 8811, or call your local police at 911.

Emergency services are available 24/7. Suicide is never the answer.