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UConn Calls Bomb Threat 'Not Credible' As Classes Resume At Storrs

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- A bomb threat at the admissions building at the Storrs campus on Thursday morning was deemed not credible, the University of Connecticut said in a statement.

Police taped off the area surrounding the Tasker Building on Hillside Road on the UConn campus.

Police taped off the area surrounding the Tasker Building on Hillside Road on the UConn campus.

Photo Credit: Kate Franzis

The bomb threat was made in a call to the Storrs campus at about 9:12 a.m., UConn said in the statement. The caller made a threat about a bomb at the Tasker Building, also known as the Admissions Building.

"Within minutes, the Tasker Building was evacuated and a campus alert was issued," UConn said. "As the UConn Police continued the emergency response, further investigation confirmed that the threat may have involved a firearm. In response, an additional alert was issued advising the campus to shelter in place."

After a sweep of the building and the subsequent investigation, UConn Police determined the threat was not credible. Other agencies assisted in the investigation, including the deployment of bomb detection and removal equipment from the Connecticut State Police.

"The University resumed normal operations as soon as it was determined to be safe to do so," UConn said. "Campus safety is our first priority, and all threats are taken seriously. Police are continuing to investigate, and anyone with information about the threat should contact UConn Police at 860-486-4800."

Students expressed some confusion about the shelter in place order, which came later in the investigation.  

"The first alert was confusing and few students paid attention to the alert and carried about on campus despite the warning to shelter in place," said junior Kate Franzis of Fairfield.

The first alert, she said, told students to evacuate. They were dismissed from classes and began walking across campus, but a second alert came an hour later saying to stay in place, she said.

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