GMU Police Allow Classes To Resume After Suspicious Package Scare

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Police allowed three buildings at George Mason University to reopen late Wednesday afternoon after a suspicious package caused a scare on the Fairfax City campus. Classes inside the Johnson Center and Robinson B buildings and the Harris Theatre will resume as normal after 5:55 p.m., the university said.

The suspicious package threat "has been cleared by police," the university said in an alert issued at 4:40 p.m.

Police ordered an evacuation of the three buildings Wednesday afternoon after a suspicious package was found at the Johnson Center, according to university officials. Students and others inside the building were told by the university around 2:30 p.m. to evacuate and then check their email for more information.

The Robinson B building and Harris Theatre are located next to the Johnson Center, which is named after GMU's former president. The building serves as a campus student center, with a food court, a bookstore, a computer store, meeting rooms and Dewberry Hall.

Officers from Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax assisted campus police with their investigation of the incident, a university spokewoman said.

Students who are experiencing any emotional distress from the suspicious package scare can contact GMU's Counseling and Psychological Services at 703-993-2380, the campus police said.