This story has been updated.
The first day of the spring semester on Murray State University’s campus was interrupted by what school leadership considered to be a bomb threat Monday, though the administration and law enforcement have since reported that there is no credible threat.
An email sent to the western Kentucky school’s students, faculty and staff just before 1 p.m. Monday said that MSU had received an email that morning “indicating a bomb threat to a campus library.” School leadership in that communication indicated that they believed the threat was a hoax, sharing the same messaging in a social media post.
The email also announced the closure of several buildings around campus for the remainder of the day “out of an abundance of caution.” Both Pogue and Waterfield libraries were among the closures. Adjacent structures were also closed, including Carr Hall, Ruby Simpson, Applied Sciences Building, Lowry Center, Old Fine Arts and New Fine Arts – where WKMS is located.
People in those structures evacuated the premises after the warning was issued and members of the campus community were instructed to avoid that part of campus for the rest of Monday. Classes in those buildings were also cancelled for the remainder of the day.
The Murray State University Police Department is investigating the situation. After 3 p.m., MSU officials said in an email that the campus police department, along with officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had determined there was no credible threat. In that same communication, MSU leadership said the Office of Homeland Security had also advised them that the threat was a hoax.
Classes in the evacuated campus buildings will resume Tuesday.
The University of Louisville experienced a similar threat Monday, evacuating campus libraries and surrounding buildings before ultimately clearing the threat and reopening their facilities.
