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Pittsburgh Bomb Threats: College Campus Receives 10 Threats In Three Weeks

Pittsburgh Bomb Threats

First Posted: 04/ 3/2012 2:28 pm Updated: 04/ 4/2012 3:08 pm


PITTSBURGH, April 3 (Reuters) - After receiving 10 bomb threats in three weeks, the University of Pittsburgh offered a $50,000 reward on Tuesday for information leading to the capture of whoever is responsible.

Shortly after word of the reward was announced, an 11th threat was made, school authorities said.

"The inability to bring this succession of threats to a quick end obviously is a source of frustration for everyone whose life has been disrupted by them," the university Chancellor Mark Nordenberg said in a statement.

"But I can assure you that law enforcement professionals are doing everything they can to pursue all possible leads and ... we have offered a very substantial reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for these crimes," he said.

The tenth threat arrived shortly after 2 a.m. on Tuesday in text messages sent to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporters, prompting evacuation of the university's Litchfield Towers dormitory, school officials said.

Students were allowed to return about four hours later.

The bomb threats began on Feb. 13, when one was made against the university's Chevron Science Center, where the chemistry department is located.

Most recently, at mid-morning on Tuesday, a text message to reporters targeted the same science center.

Two threats on Monday came in an email and scrawled on a university bathroom wall, forcing evacuation of David Lawrence Hall, which The building contains classrooms, lecture halls and a large auditorium. Also evacuated was the Cathedral of Learning, a towering landmark at the heart of campus that houses administrative offices, classrooms, libraries and a restaurant.

Asked for details about the most recent threats, university spokesman John Adele said the information was confidential.

The threats have not been confined to the University of Pittsburgh. Point Park University in downtown Pittsburgh also received a bomb threat in recent weeks, authorities said. (Reporting by Matt Stroud. Editing By Ellen Wulfhorst and Christopher Wilson)

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PITTSBURGH, April 3 (Reuters) - After receiving 10 bomb threats in three weeks, the University of Pittsburgh offered a $50,000 reward on Tuesday for information leading to the capture of whoever is...
PITTSBURGH, April 3 (Reuters) - After receiving 10 bomb threats in three weeks, the University of Pittsburgh offered a $50,000 reward on Tuesday for information leading to the capture of whoever is...
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03:20 PM on 04/09/2012
actually... we just hit threat #57
06:40 PM on 04/07/2012
I believe the reason they are not publicizing this incident more is because authorities fear that students at other schools may attempt to mimic the student(s) making the bomb threats at Pitt.

Although this could happen at any university, you never know if publicizing this may lead to some underground society of students making bomb threats at other schools.
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AudreyLee
Don't block me bro
10:09 AM on 04/06/2012
I'm going there in the fall as a freshman. Not gonna lie, this is freaking me out a bit.
04:29 PM on 04/05/2012
The threat count is now at 23. Seven yesterday, four so far today. I am surely not alone as a student in being terrified to go on campus.
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AudreyLee
Don't block me bro
10:08 AM on 04/06/2012
I'm attending there fall this year as a freshman...I hope they've figured it out by then :(
11:07 AM on 04/06/2012
I'm sure they will. Something's gotta give, especially with the FBI assisting. I've had almost four years here now of pretty much incident-free living and learning, so be assured that this is not something common that will happen all the time when you come here. It really is a great school filled with kind people, seemingly with someone who has a vendetta of sorts against it.
10:21 AM on 04/05/2012
It's more than likely coming from students themselves. Parents that complain about the issue have a right to worry about their children, and the right to get a good education, however, if your child is the one caught for this crime, do not ask for forgiveness. Yes, other agencies should probably be brought in to help with the investigation, but I would much rather the agencies come in secretively so that the person responsible continues till caught and a case is created against them for prosecution.
12:42 PM on 04/05/2012
I think by this point it's gone way too far to be caused by students. Today we've already had 3 bomb threats and it's only 1:00.
01:19 PM on 04/05/2012
Why are people having such problems with numbers? There have been four today. They all came in at the same time.
12:50 AM on 04/05/2012
I am a mom of two Pitt students. After the fifth or sixth bomb threat I called Pitt to ask what agencies were investigating. I finally reached CHANCELLOR NORDENBERG'S office where his secretary tried to transfer me back to the Pitt police. I said that if I could not get a response through Pitt I would get it via the media. My number was taken and after approximately 24 hours the Chancellor's secretary contacted me and asked if I was the person who "complained" the day before and then connected me to the chancellor. He responded that the Pittsburgh police were also used and that THE UNIVERSITY WAS SURE THAT IT WAS JUST STUDENTS JUST TRYING TO GET OUT OF CLASS. HE WASN'T WORRIED HE SAID. Six bomb threats and he wasn't worried yet?? I was "complaining?" When I pressed that it was six bomb threats in a small amount of time and I felt that maybe the FBI or someone with investigative experience should be brought in, I was again reassured that this happens every couple of years and then stops and that the kids were safe. While the University is now taking this seriously, I wonder if they are doing all they can as soon as they can and understanding the magnitude of the situation. Personally, I am urging my kids to begin transfer applications as are quite a few other parents I know.
10:18 PM on 04/04/2012
lol somebody is trolling hard.
09:29 PM on 04/04/2012
They are at 18 now. This needs to be covered by more people. Students are not sleeping, and when they do they have nightmares. Students are terrified. Some are getting hotel rooms, and a lot are leaving due to the terror. http://stopthepittbombthreats.blogspot.com/
09:52 PM on 04/04/2012
actually i think its 19. I live right by one of the building that recently had one and its freaking me otu
10:15 PM on 04/04/2012
Right, I meant 19. Sorry. Thanks for the correction!
08:49 PM on 04/04/2012
We're up to 16 now. Four today, three yesterday...