The University was one of five colleges across Virginia to receive a bomb threat Friday, prompting evacuations and law enforcement responses at university libraries where the threats were reported.
Evacuations and investigations in response to the threats were reported at four other Virginia colleges Friday — Bridgewater College, George Mason University, Randolph-Macon College and Longwood University. All five investigations were closed within hours of the threats.
According to U.Va. officials, the bomb threat to the University was delivered via email, and it led to the evacuation of Edgar Shannon Library and Clemons Library shortly before 11 a.m. Friday. University Police and emergency personnel responded to the scene while students and staff were instructed through the university alert system to avoid the area.
After conducting a search of the buildings, authorities determined that no explosive device was present, and the threat was determined to be a hoax. Both University libraries reopened around 1:45 p.m. and normal operations resumed, according to University Spokesperson Bethanie Glover.
In a message sent to the University community Friday afternoon, J.J. Wagner Davis, executive vice president and chief operating officer, said University officials were aware that other colleges in the Commonwealth reported bomb threats.
“We have received reports that other institutions of higher education received similar threats today,” Davis said. “We will continue working with law enforcement to investigate their source.”
According to Glover, the University has been in touch with other institutions who have received similar bomb threats.
Students at Bridgewater College were ordered to evacuate the Forrer Learning Commons at 12:47 p.m. Officials determined roughly an hour later that no explosive device was found, and the College has resumed operations.
At George Mason University, located in Fairfax, officials evacuated the Fenwick Library and surrounding area after a bomb threat was reported at 12:52 p.m. That threat was cleared at 3:45 p.m., and Fenwick Library will remain closed all day Friday. George Mason is currently on spring break through Sunday.
Randolph-Macon College, located in Ashland, also evacuated its McGraw-Page Library and two nearby classroom buildings around 2:30 p.m. following an emailed bomb threat. According to a spokesperson for Randolph-Macon College, Ashland Police and Hanover County emergency officials closed nearby streets and instructed the public to avoid the area. The library was cleared at 3:20 p.m. and no explosive device was found.
Longwood University in Farmville evacuated and closed Greenwood Library after an emailed bomb threat was reported, according to VPM News. The university is currently on spring break through Sunday as officials investigate the incident. According to a spokesperson for Longwood University, an all clear has been issued and no threat has been found.
The five empty bomb threats come just a day after Old Dominion University’s fatal shooting Thursday. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh — who had served several years in prison for his supportive efforts of ISIS, opened fire during an ROTC class, fatally injuring the veteran class instructor and non-fatally injuring two others. Jalloh was killed by an ROTC student at the scene.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones’ office said it is working with institutions and law enforcement as investigations continue. When asked whether the threats reported Friday may be connected, Rae Pickett, director of communications for the Office of the Attorney General, said the Office would not speculate while investigations remain ongoing.
“We will not speculate on the motive or possible connections in these events and will rely on our highly-skilled law enforcement officials to conduct a thorough investigation and continue to maintain a secure and safe campus for all students,” Pickett said.
In a statement sent to The Cavalier Daily, Jones condemned the threats reported across Virginia’s institutions and the tragedy at ODU.
“I am deeply saddened at the loss of life [at ODU] and widespread fear connected with the violence carried out yesterday not only in Virginia, but across our nation,” Jones said. “The threats reported today against a number of our state institutions have no place in our society. As a product of Virginia’s colleges and universities and as a father, I am horrified by these acts and threats of violence targeted at Virginia’s colleges and universities.”
The five police departments charged with managing the threats have been contacted for comment. At the time of publication, the departments had not responded to requests for comment.
Aside from threats targeted at higher education institutions, police investigated a bomb threat in Washington Friday. The Metropolitan Police Department reported the incident on X at 3:47 p.m. — hours after the threats against universities. The bomb threat was cleared less than an hour later.
Over the past year, the University has experienced multiple false emergency reports. The University community received an emergency alert for an active shooter Nov. 3 that was ultimately found to be ungrounded. The University also experienced bomb threats in 2003 and 2017 — in both cases, no devices were ultimately found.
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