Tesla Gigafactory Workers Flee in Panic After Receiving Active Shooter Alert; Texas Police Continue to investigate

Fear and panic struck Tesla Gigafactory early Friday morning as an active shooter report sent shock waves in the Austin, Texas facility.

The employees reportedly ran outside screaming after an active shooter alert was sent to their phones. However, it turned out to be a false alarm, and relief washed over the premises after the police cleared the factory.

(Photo : Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
 AUSTIN, TEXAS - JANUARY 03: Tesla cars are seen on a lot at a Tesla dealership on January 03, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Tesla's quarterly earnings fell short of Wall Street's expectations and its 2022 delivery target, losing approximately $675 billion in market valuation.

Active Shooting at Tesla Gigafactory False Alarm

Occupying an expansive 2,500 acres, the renowned Tesla Gigafactory stands as the prominent manufacturing hub for its Model Y car in the United States.

However, an unexpected event disrupted the usual operations at the factory, leaving employees on edge until the situation was thoroughly investigated and resolved.

Authorities in Texas launched an investigation into a 911 call reporting an active shooter at the Tesla plant. According to Electek, Travis County Sheriff's Office swiftly responded after receiving the report at around 5 a.m.

Medics from the Austin-Travis County EMS also responded to the scene to treat potential patients after a "shots fired" call came in. Amid their daily routines, workers at the factory, which is over 12,500, unexpectedly received the alarming notification sent to emails.

The message alerted the employees about an "active attacker near column location 35Z at the Giga Factory Texas," and directed them to "take cover and stand by for further details."

However, it appears to have been a false alarm as the entire Tesla Gigafactory plant was found without any trace of a shooter, injury, or missing person.

After the situation was thoroughly assessed and deemed safe, police declared it a false alarm, and employees received the green light to resume working.

According to local reporter Pamela Comme, "hundreds of people have gone down the hill and they seem to be entering the Tesla Gigafactory" after the "all clear" had been given at the plant.

"We can see them walking on the last two floors," she noted.

Comme also tweeted that the road leading to the factory was also reopened.

"The exit to get onto Tesla Road is back open. Cars are going through, and workers seem to be entering the Tesla Gigafactory," she wrote.

Also Read: Tesla Is Laying Off Battery Workers at Gigafactory Shanghai in China

Immediate Response From Texas Police

In the early morning hours, an alarming 911 call was received by the Travis County Sheriff's Department, leading to a swift deployment of police and paramedics to the Tesla Gigafactory site.

Upon arrival, Mirror reported that the police urgently instructed workers to evacuate to ensure their safety, causing a rush to the exits. Police swiftly established a cordon at the scene, with a significant presence of emergency vehicles captured in the footage.

Due to the incident, Tesla Road was closed, causing traffic along the State Highway 130 toll road while workers anxiously awaited the all-clear signal to return to their duties.

According to Reuters, the nature of the phone call, including who placed it and where it came from, was being investigated by police. Tesla has yet to comment on the incident.

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