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Last updated at 3:45 p.m.
At least five colleges in Virginia have investigated bomb threats at on-campus libraries.
Evacuations have occurred at University of Virginia, Bridgewater College, George Mason University, Randolph–Macon College and Longwood University as investigations continue. Many Virginia institutions of higher education are on spring break this week.
The threats come amid heightened concern for all Virginia institutions of higher education after Thursday's shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk; one person was killed and two were injured.
Longwood University, Farmville
An active investigation continues into an emailed threat at Longwood's Greenwood Library, which has been evacuated and closed at this time. The school is on spring break through Sunday.
Randolph–Macon College, Ashland
Around 2:30 p.m., the Ashland Police Department reported that they were investigating a threat against Randolph-Macon College, but that no violence had occurred.
VPM News confirmed that the Ashland Police Department evacuated and closed the McGraw-Page Library after the campus received an emailed bomb threat. Two additional classroom buildings have also been cleared and closed out of an abundance of caution, but nothing has been found.
Henry Street, Caroline Street and College Avenue on the campus are closed to traffic and the public has been instructed to avoid the area. Hanover County emergency officials are still on campus. The school community is told to stay away from the library until police have given the all clear to re-enter.
George Mason University, Fairfax
A GMU spokesperson said that a bomb threat had been reported on the Fairfax campus. The Fenwick Library remains closed at this time; the school is on spring break through Sunday.
"Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public safety, an investigation is currently underway," media relations manager John Hollis told VPM News. "Individuals have been evacuated from Fenwick Library and the surrounding area while emergency personnel respond, and were asked to follow the direction of law enforcement and/or emergency personnel."
Bridgewater College, Bridgewater
Officials from Bridgewater College have confirmed that the threat had been cleared as of 1:59 p.m. and no device was found.
The Forrer Learning Commons is returning to its normal operations.
At 12:47 p.m., Bridgewater College ordered the immediate evacuation of FLC due to a threat and instructed the school's community to avoid the area in a campus-wide alert.
University of Virginia, Charlottesville
According to a University of Virginia spokesperson, University Police responded "to an emailed bomb threat" that led to the evacuations of Shannon and Clemons libraries around 11 a.m.
After a thorough investigation, no bomb was discovered.
"The threat was determined to be a hoax possibly linked to a series of similar threats sent to Virginia colleges on Friday," the spokesperson said.
As of 1:45 p.m., both of the libraries at UVA have been reopened under normal operating conditions and confirmed to be safe.
2:06 p.m. update: According to a University of Virginia spokesperson, University Police responded "to an emailed bomb threat" that led to the evacuations of Shannon and Clemons libraries around 11 a.m.
After a thorough investigation, no bomb was discovered.
"The threat was determined to be a hoax possibly linked to a series of similar threats sent to Virginia colleges on Friday," the spokesperson said.
As of 1:45 p.m., both of the libraries at UVA have been reopened under normal operating conditions and confirmed to be safe.
Officials from Bridgewater College have confirmed that the threat had been cleared as of 1:59 p.m. and no device was found.
The Forrer Learning Center is returning to its normal operations.
At least three colleges in Virginia are investigating ongoing bomb threats at on-campus libraries Friday.
As of 1:15 p.m., the University of Virginia, George Mason University and Bridgewater College had all received bomb threats, according to their respective schools.
Evacuations are ongoing at all three schools as investigations continue.
The threats come amid heightened concern for all Virginia institutions of higher education after Thursday's shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk; one person was killed and two were injured.
Around 10:50 a.m., the UVA Alert system sent out a message that a bomb threat had been reported at Shannon Library, asking people to avoid the area. Both Clemons and Shannon Libraries are in the process of being evacuated; emergency officials are in the area of McCormick Road.
At 12:47 p.m., Bridgewater College ordered the immediate evacuation of Forrer Learning Commons due to a bomb threat and instructed the school's community to avoid the area in a campus-wide alert.
Just after 1 p.m., George Mason University posted on Facebook that Fenwick Library is closed until further notice. The community is being instructed to leave the library and stay away from the area.
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