At least six schools investigated and cleared threats.
As of 6:30 p.m. Friday, at least five colleges in Virginia had investigated bomb threats targeting on-campus libraries, while a sixth warned people to stay away from its library because of an unnamed “active threat.”
Officials ordered evacuations at the University of Virginia, Bridgewater College, George Mason University, Randolph–Macon College, Longwood University and Shenandoah University as investigations continued. Many higher education institutions across Virginia are on spring break this week.
The threats come amid heightened concern across Virginia colleges and universities following Thursday’s shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, where one person was killed and two others were injured.
Bomb threats at higher education institutions are not uncommon. In 2022, unspecified bomb threats targeted six historically Black colleges and universities.
Shenandoah University, Winchester
Shenandoah University closed its Smith Library while authorities investigated an “active threat,” but later posted on its website that officials found no credible threat.
VPM News reached out to school officials for additional information.
Randolph–Macon College, Ashland
Around 2:30 p.m., the Ashland Police Department reported it was investigating a threat involving Randolph-Macon College but confirmed that no violence had occurred.
VPM News confirmed that police evacuated and closed the McGraw-Page Library after the campus received a bomb threat via email. Authorities also cleared and closed two additional classroom buildings.
Shortly after 3:30 p.m., the department announced that the investigation had concluded and officers found nothing suspicious or dangerous.
Henry Street, Caroline Street and College Avenue on campus, which had been closed to traffic during the investigation, have since reopened.
At 7 p.m. Friday night in Crenshaw Gym, Randolph-Macon’s men’s basketball team will face Christopher Newport University in a sold-out NCAA Division III Sweet Sixteen game.
Longwood University, Farmville
School officials confirmed to VPM News via email that Greenwood Library was evacuated and closed after the campus received an emailed threat. Authorities later cleared the area following an investigation.
The library will remain closed for the rest of Friday but is scheduled to reopen on Sunday when students return from spring break.
George Mason University, Fairfax
A GMU spokesperson said the Fairfax campus received a bomb threat.
University Police Chief Carl Rowan confirmed to VPM News that someone emailed the threat to the school, including a specific location and possible detonation time. “It’s subject to a criminal investigation.”
Around 3:45 p.m., university officials posted on social media that the threat had ended.
“Law enforcement conducted an extensive search of the building and no devices were found. The area has been deemed safe and normal operations may resume,” media relations manager John Hollis told VPM News.
The Fenwick Library remained closed for the rest of Friday. The school is on spring break through Sunday.
Bridgewater College, Bridgewater
At 12:47 p.m., Bridgewater College ordered the immediate evacuation of the Forrer Learning Commons after receiving a threat and instructed the campus community to avoid the area through a campus-wide alert.
Officials later confirmed that authorities cleared the threat shortly before 2 p.m., and investigators did not find any device.
The Forrer Learning Commons has returned to normal operations.
University of Virginia, Charlottesville
According to a University of Virginia spokesperson, University Police responded to an emailed bomb threat that led to the evacuation of Shannon and Clemons libraries around 11 a.m.
After conducting a thorough investigation, officers did not find any bomb.
“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.
By 1:45 p.m., officials confirmed both libraries were safe and reopened under normal operating conditions.