ROCKVILLE, MD. — A Maryland college issued an active shooter alert by mistake.

The Washington Post reports Montgomery College sent the alert Wednesday afternoon warning students about an armed person on “(insert name) Campus” only to retract the alert minutes later. The college has campuses in Germantown, Rockville and Takoma Park.

College spokesman Marcus Rosano says someone accidentally sent out an active-shooter template alert, chalking up the message that was sent to 8,960 cellphones to human error.

Rosano says the college started using a new alert system in September and more training is needed. He says the college is re-evaluating its emergency notification protocol.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. (PHOTO: Google Maps)