Bomb threat at Calhoun one of more than a dozen statewide

Michael Wetzel, The Decatur Daily, Ala.
·2 min read

Jul. 28—A bomb threat that forced the temporary evacuation of Calhoun Community College's three campuses Wednesday afternoon was among threats directed during the day toward at least 13 colleges and universities in the state.

Alabama Community College System spokeswoman Ebony Horton said at least 10 community colleges received threats.

"All of the campuses were evacuated because of alleged bomb threats," she said. "The threats were later deemed unfounded, and some classes resumed. However, some campuses remained closed for the remainder of the day. We are working with all local, state and federal authorities on this matter."

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said in a statement that it was "aware of the most recent bomb threats made against universities and colleges around the country, which includes schools located in Alabama. ALEA's State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Alabama Fusion Center (AFC), in conjunction with local and federal partners, are currently monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of all students, faculty and staff. All collegiate schools that received threats within Alabama on Wednesday ... have been cleared."

Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey said late Wednesday afternoon that "there is no active (ALEA) investigation at this time."

Calhoun advised students and faculty of the evacuation with its campus alert system, school spokesman Wes Torain said. Calhoun campuses evacuated included the Alabama Center for the Arts in downtown Decatur, the campus in Decatur-annexed Limestone County and a campus in Huntsville.

Calhoun police assisted by the Decatur and Huntsville police departments cleared all buildings on the campuses and then allowed students and employees to return.

Alabama-Huntsville, Auburn University and the University of North Alabama also reported receiving bomb threats.

Horton said the community colleges receiving threats were Calhoun, Northwest-Shoals in Muscle Shoals, Enterprise State, Wallace-Dothan, Lurleen B. Wallace campuses in Andalusia and Opp, Trenholm State in Montgomery, Jefferson State in Birmingham, Shelton State in Tuscaloosa and Reid State in Evergreen.

Athens State didn't receive a bomb threat and did not evacuate its campus in Athens, an official there said. Athens State shares the Alabama Center for the Arts campus with Calhoun.

The FBI began investigating alleged bomb threats at college campuses in Maryland, Texas, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia during the first two weeks of July. It is unclear if those threats were related to Wednesday's in Alabama.

— mike.wetzel@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442. Twitter @DD_Wetzel.