Balloons popping mistaken for gunshots in Campus Center, UPD responds
By Lucienne Burns | September 15, 2026
On Tuesday night at around 9 p.m. the University Police Department (UPD) responded to a report of possible gunshots and screaming in the first floor of the Campus Center.
According to UPD, officers quickly arrived at the scene and concluded that the noise was from multiple balloons that were popped and cheering from an event in the Assembly Hall. The officers checked the remainder of the Campus Center to ensure there was no emergency.
UPD also said that the Albany Police Department was preparing to respond to the Campus Center, but officials determined that there was not an emergency before they got to the scene.
UPD Chief Paul Burlingame emphasized the importance of leaving an area of danger and stepping back when UPD is responding to an emergency.
“In the end, the caller did exactly what we ask our students to do. Leave the area they believe to be dangerous and contact us to report what they see and hear,” Burlingame said. “Our officers also did what they are trained to do, quickly respond to stop any threats to our campus community and ensure our students are safe.”
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