UofL, Murray State targeted in university bomb threat hoax Monday
Classes at the University of Louisville and Murray State University were interrupted after hoax bomb threats were made on Monday, apparently part of a nationwide hoax targeting universities.
Murray State canceled classes after 2 p.m. after receiving a bomb threat to a campus library, according to a social media post from the school. The threat was believed to be a hoax, but buildings were closed out of caution while the university police department investigated. Classes in those locations were canceled through the end of the day.
“The Murray State University Police Department, along with relevant personnel, are investigating the situation currently. We will continue to provide updates as needed,” according to the social media post.
UofL also closed the Ekstrom and Kornhauser libraries while responding to a safety concern shortly after 2 p.m., according to a safety alert sent. All campus libraries were later closed, though they reopened shortly before 4 p.m.
The concern was later determined to be a hoax, and the university was given the “all clear,” said John Karman, UofL spokesperson.
“Apparently, a number of universities across the country got the exact same threat at the exact same time,” Karman said. “It was a bomb threat that generically mentioned ‘library.’ We evacuated all of our libraries out of an abundance of caution.”
Monday was the first day of the spring semester at Murray State, while classes at UofL have been in session since Jan. 7.