February 5, 2025

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

Content warning: this article discusses violence

America, in the last few weeks, has been swept by bomb threats — hoaxes that close schools down, reroute police attention and cause panic for thousands.

Late into the evening Jan. 29, Albany Options School received an email informing them of a bomb. On Jan. 30, the school’s staff discovered the email and informed the local police department, leading to a thorough sweep of the school premises, as well as its neighboring elementary school, Sunrise Elementary. Officials from Greater Albany Public Schools deemed nothing suspicious, and allowed for a typical school day.

Albany Police Department, as well as the school district, assured the public that an investigation is underway aiming to identify where the threat came from. They posted online Jan. 30, “We saw a lot of incorrect information on social media about the emailed bomb threat to Greater Albany Public Schools this morning. The situation was fluid, found to be a spoof email attack (per the FBI) and GAPS notified families from the two schools as soon as they had correct and pertinent information … We take all threats seriously and work together with our partners to ensure the safety of all students and staff.”

Reflected in news across the country, bomb threats are making headlines. Notably, a Utah elementary school — Timpanogos Elementary School — was recently investigated due to an unclear threat made right after school was dismissed for the day Monday, Feb. 3. The Provo Police Department swept the school using K9 units, finding nothing suspicious, but have continued to investigate.

Allen County Schools, out of Scottsville, Kentucky, declared Saturday, Feb. 1, that a threat was made against Allen County-Scottsville High School, eventually stated to be non-credible after a thorough sweep of the premises and surrounding area utilizing K9 units.

At approximately 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, a CVS Pharmacy in Sylva, North Carolina, was cleared after a bomb threat was alleged. The neighboring Burger King was evacuated as well as the CVS. Traffic was rerouted to avoid the area as investigators cleared the scene — another hoax.

Authorities in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, arrested 35-year-old Christopher Newman in connection to a bomb threat that was called into Myrtle Beach International Airport. The bomb threat caused panic across the airport, deplaning multiple aircrafts after pilots were contacted. Newman is being held without bond.

According to America’s Cyber Defense Agency, “The primary reason for employing bomb threats when no explosive device is present is to disrupt, distract and harass.”

Facilities receiving bomb threats are encouraged to stay on the phone for as long as possible, write down exact wording and fill out a bomb threat checklist offered by the cyber defense agency. If not called in but received digitally, it is recommended to leave the message open on the device, take a screenshot, copy the message and title and note the date and time. If written, handle the note as little as possible. Note the date, time and location of the threat and keep the written threat in a secure spot so police may investigate it as naturally as possible.

Most bomb threats — nearly 90% — are expected to be hoaxes. Despite the fact, all threats are to be treated as if real, so as to prevent injury.

All bomb threats should be reported to law enforcement agencies.

A 17-year-old student of Beekman Charter School in Bastrop, Louisiana, was arrested in late January after multiple bomb threats were made over email against the educational facility. All Morehouse Parish schools closed Monday, Feb. 3, and Tuesday, Feb. 4 regarding the incidents.

Mayor of Bastrop, Betty Alford-Olive, stated, “As Mayor, I am asking all citizens to be vigilant of your surroundings and if you see something suspicious, please call 911. Please stay safe.”

Investigations are still underway.

The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, closed after multiple bomb threats were made toward the North Severn Complex. All affected areas were cleared and no threat was located, with the lockdown lifted Jan. 31. 

Nov. 2024, during the election, faced multiple Russian-sourced bomb threats to polling places in multiple states, such as Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. The FBI claimed that none of the threats seemed legitimate and declared the investigation to be at the top of their priority list. At least two polling spots in the state of Georgia were evacuated but opened again after 30 minutes. The Russian embassy in Washington protested allegations of Russian interference — labeling them “malicious slander.”

Overall, more than two dozen threats against polling stations were made.

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu