CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -– A nine-hour lockdown on the campus of Virginia State University was lifted early Thursday morning after police conducted a full sweep of the university following a Wednesday evening bomb threat.
Virginia State Police said the university received a threatening phone call shortly before 6 p.m.
While police have not released details regarding the call, Crime Insider sources said the bomb threat was accompanied by specific demands and threats. Those sources said a man made the threatening call at 5:38 p.m. from what appeared to be a Google number.
The man demanded thousands of dollars to be dropped in front of the VSU library and the caller threatened to release sniper fire if the demands were not met, the Crime Insider sources added.
Virginia State Police would not confirm those details, citing an ongoing investigation.
State Police said the university was placed on lockdown “as a precautionary measure and for the safety of those on campus.”
“There have been no injuries reported or anything suspicious located at this stage of the investigation,” said Virginia State Police Sgt. Steve Vick. “State Police and Chesterfield County Police will remain here throughout the evening until the entire campus is canvased.”
Virginia State University Police also told off-campus students to avoid the area.
VSU director of communications Pamela Turner said the university would not release numbers on how many people were on campus during the lockdown.
However, Turner did confirm students from a camp are safe tonight on the campus.
“The university has established a family line for parents to call as the campus is hosting two overnight camps,” she said. “That number is 804-524-5360.”
"The safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors is our main priority," the school said in a statement. “More details will become available upon the completion of the investigation.”
This is a developing story. Witnesses can email news tips and photos here.
