Another Bomb Threat

Another Bomb Threat W&L Evacuated For Seven Hours

Washington and Lee University was evacuated for around seven hours last Wednesday due to another bomb threat.

At 8:14 a.m. on July 10, the university posted a notice of the threat, asking people to “leave or avoid campus until further notice.”

The evacuation order was in place until about 3:30 p.m., when the university posted that the bomb threat had been “resolved” and “Law enforcement found no active threat to campus safety.”

Drewry Sackett, university spokesperson, explained that afternoon, “This morning the university received a threat of a bomb at an unspecified location on campus.

“Our Public Safety staff contacted law enforcement immediately and campus was evacuated. Local and state law enforcement responded quickly and conducted a thorough search,” she said.

The Lexington Police Department, Buena Vista Police Department, Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office, Petersburg Bureau of Police, Virginia State Police, as well as Washington and Lee Public Safety and Virginia Military Institute Police all responded to the incident.

“The commitment and professionalism displayed by all responding officers during the several hours of operations in extreme heat conditions exemplify the highest standards of public service,” said Angela Greene, chief of the Lexington Police Department.

“Their determination and teamwork allowed us to thoroughly sweep the campus and confirm its safety before allowing students and faculty to return,” she said.

The Virginia State Police responded with seven bomb dogs, and the Petersburg Police with one.

“We extend our sincere thanks to each of these agencies for their support and dedication to our community’s safety,” Greene said.

William Dudley, president of the university, also thanked law enforcement in an email to students and staff last Wednesday.

“We are grateful to our Public Safety officers; to the local, regional, and state law enforcement personnel who responded quickly to this incident; and to those in the local community who offered support,” he wrote.

“I understand this incident was a source of considerable stress and anxiety for those on campus and I appreciate your patience and cooperation as law enforcement conducted the search,” he continued.

“This incident, like any security threat to our campus, will be investigated thoroughly and handled according to the laws of the commonwealth of Virginia.”

Last week’s bomb threat comes after a similar incident in November of 2023, when the campus was under a shelterin- place order for nearly four hours while law enforcement swept the school, following an anonymous threat of violence.

No arrests have yet been made in that previous incident, but the investigation into that incident and last week’s bomb threat continues, said Greene.

“If anyone has any information that could assist us with this active investigation, we ask that they contact Detective Lewis who is the lead investigator on the case,” said Greene.