COLUMBUS – A campus library building was evacuated and searched early Monday morning after Ohio State safety officials say they received information about a threat and discovered an unattended bag outside the library which turned out to be harmless.
According to a public safety message from the OSU Department of Public Safety, officials received information from Columbus police shortly after 2:00 a.m. concerning a threat of violence for the campus.
“Law enforcement has determined it not to be a credible threat,” the advisory stated.
As precaution, @OSUPOLICE evacuated & searched 18th Ave Library in response to bomb threat.Area cleared.No credible threat at this time.
— OSU Emergency Mngmnt (@OSU_EMFP) May 22, 2017
Unknown suspects made a number of unsubstantiated threats including a statement that they would “shoot up campus” and indicated bombs were placed in duffel bags with one located at the main entrance of a library, the message said.
University police responded and located an unidentified bag in the area of the 18th Avenue Library, 175 West 18th Avenue, which is open 24 hours a day, according to the safety message.
The library was evacuated out of an “abundance of caution” while law enforcement authorities investigated the unidentified bag, which was cleared, the message said.
Information about the police activity was shared with the community via social media.
Although all other campus libraries were closed, the release said police searched those areas as a precaution but nothing was found and it was determined the threat was not a credible one.
Officials say university police planned to remain visible throughout campus Monday.
The community is encouraged to report any suspicious behavior to OSU Police by calling 614-292-2121, or by dialing 9-1-1 in emergencies.