Shots were reported fired at 1:02 p.m. ET at the school’s Caudill Laboratories, and a suspect was taken into custody shortly after 2:30 p.m., Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz was quoted as saying by CNN at a Monday evening news conference.

The name of the deceased faculty member and the suspect was not known immediately.

UNC Police Chief Brian James told CNN that the motive behind the attack was not known immediately.

“We really want to know the ‘why’ in this case and what led to it,” James said.

The gun used in the shooting has not been found, the chief added.

He said it was still not clear whether the attacker and the deceased previously knew each other.

Following the incident, classes and campus activities were suspended.

In a statement, the university said: "I am grieved to report that one of our faculty members was killed in this shooting. We are waiting for confirmation that the next of kin has been contacted before we share more information."

Speaking on the cancellation of classes, the statement mentioned: "In response, we have cancelled classes and all campus events for the rest of the day on Monday, Aug. 28 and Tuesday, Aug. 29. The campus is moving to Condition 2 until midnight tomorrow."