Bomb Threat That Evacuated NIU Appears to be a Hoax

Buildings on Northern Illinois University’s campus in DeKalb — including branch campus buildings — were evacuated Thursday evening after the school received a telephoned bomb threat at about 6 p.m.

Late into the night, buildings throughout the main campus were searched, as well as the branch campus buildings in Naperville, Hoffman Estates and Rockford. DeKalb County Online reports that Rockford Police dispatched a bomb-detecting dog. Illinois State Police, NIU Police and DeKalb Police were on the scene.

At 8:40 p.m., the university issued a statement:

At this time, the threat appears to be a hoax and one of a series of bogus bomb threats called into a number of colleges and universities across the region. However, to ensure the safety of students, police are conducting a building-by-building search before allowing anyone back into buildings.

An NIU police safety bulletin was issued by text before 7 p.m. to NIU students and staff.

Students on the main campus were sent to the Convocation Center, which was cleared by police, reports the Northern Star, the campus newspaper. An 8:30 p.m. basketball game at the Convocation Center began as scheduled, but all classes and other activities are cancelled. Students on Twitter say dormitories were evacuated, as well.

“We are taking no chances with the safety of our students, faculty and staff,” NIU President Doug Baker said in a statement. “We apologize for the inconvenience but clearly must err on the side of caution.”

Seven years ago, a violent tragedy struck this campus. On the afternoon of Feb. 14, 2008, a heavily armed gunman opened fire in an introductory geology class at Cole Hall on the NIU campus, killing five students and wounding 21 others during a six-minute shooting spree. The gunman then took his own life.

Threat at DePaul’s O’Hare Campus, College of DuPage

A bomb threat was made at DePaul University’s O’Hare campus, 8770 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Thursday night. The building was evacuated of 50-some people, searched and cleared for re-entry. On Monday, a bomb threat was made against the College of DuPage, canceling classes, again a hoax.

Elsewhere Thursday night, bomb threats were reported at Rogue Community College in Oregon and the University of Maine at Augusta.