FBI investigating threat to Point Loma Nazarene in San Diego after university cancels classes
Point Loma Nazarene University officials canceled classes at all campuses early Thursday after federal authorities informed them the university was the target of a threat.
Classes were canceled and students and staff were told to leave the main Point Loma campus and satellite locations in Liberty Station and Mission Valley, all in San Diego, and Bakersfield. The university made the announcement in a post on social media at 8:25 a.m.
“We received an unspecified threat this morning and in an abundance of caution we are closing the campus,” university spokeswoman Jill Monroe said. “We’ve canceled classes and all employees are dismissed.”
The Christian liberal arts university has about 4,500 students enrolled at its Point Loma campus and satellite locations. Students who live on the Point Loma campus were told they could return to their dorms and remain inside or, if they prefer, they could leave campus, Monroe said. About 2,700 undergraduates are enrolled on the main campus.
FBI spokeswoman Davene Butler said the FBI became aware of the threat, which included “nonspecific comments” about the university, early Thursday and launched an investigation with San Diego authorities and the agency’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
“At this time, the Joint Terrorism Task Force is actively working to determine the veracity of the comments made regarding Point Loma Nazarene University,” she said. “However, the investigation to date has determined that this is not an active-shooter threat.”
The threat comes as the country remains on edge over the source of 10 explosive packages that were sent to former Vice President Joe Biden, actor Robert De Niro, former President Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., former CIA director John Brennan, investor George Soros and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) in the last two days.
On Wednesday, a suspicious package forced the evacuation of the San Diego Union-Tribune newsroom, a sister publication of the Los Angeles Times. Suspicious envelopes also prompted hazmat crews to respond to the Los Angeles Times headquarters in El Segundo. The package in San Diego and the letters were found to be harmless.
San Diego Union-Tribune staff writer Karen Kucher contributed to this report.
Twitter: @Hannahnfry
UPDATES:
11:30 a.m.: This article was updated with quotes and additional information about the threat from the FBI.
This article was originally published at 9:10 a.m.
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