UPDATE: 42-YEAR-OLD BUSTED FOR LSU BOMB THREAT
The Louisiana State University campus is being evacuated after the latest bomb threat to hit a U.S. college campus. The school has some 30,000 students and employees. Here’s what we know.
1. The Threat Came at 10:32 Local Time
A bomb threat has been reported on the #LSU campus. Please evacuate the campus as calmly and quickly as possible.… ow.ly/dLYVg
— LSU (@lsu) September 17, 2012
A call was received at the East Baton Rouge Parish 911 office. Students were notified via the school website, text message and Twitter.
2. Traffic Gridlock is Slowing the Evacuation
This photo (above) tweeted by @AggiAshagre shows cars lining up to (unsuccessfully) follow the evacuation order. Another student described the logistics issue:
LSU literally has 3 streets. So getting 40,000 students off all at the same time … IMPOSSIBLE.
— Lisa Sandoval (@xo_lees) September 17, 2012
All I have to say is I definitely picked the right day to sleep in for my first class. I totally avoided this clusterfuck of and evacuation.
— Rebekah Turley (@PrincessBekBek) September 17, 2012
3. The Mascot Was Evacuated First
#LSU evacuates Mike the Tiger before informing students of a bomb threat on campus… Sounds about right. #priorities
— David Jones II (@davidjonesusa) September 17, 2012
I’m still laughing at how LSU evacuated Mike the Tiger first. That shit funny!
— K.Simone’ (@ksimoneboo) September 17, 2012
Mike the Tiger is LSU’s real-live Bengal mascot. He has his own habitat and his own website.
4. A SWAT Team is on Campus to Assist in the Evacuations
Louisiana State Police Bomb technicians also are on-scene.
5. LSU Just Dealt with A Major Disaster
Just weeks ago Hurricane Isaac came through and walloped the Baton Rouge campus.
6. Nearby Bars are Running Bomb-Threat Specials
Bars outside of LSU’s campus are opening early and offering students Bomb Threat Drink Specials. Lol. Only in Louisiana.
— Calix(@calixsports) September 17, 2012
LSU does not care. RT @cassaratdr: At the Mexican restaurant a stone’s throw away from the North Gates of LSU. twitpic.com/avpofc
— edsbs (@edsbs) September 17, 2012
How LSU handles any type of emergency: with a themed party. Hurricane? Hurricane party. Bomb threat? Easy, party with bomb shots.
— Rebekah Turley (@PrincessBekBek) September 17, 2012
7. Classes Have Been Canceled
All #LSU classes, events cancelled for today. Evacuation is still in effect. ow.ly/1OvGiS
— LSU (@lsu) September 17, 2012
8. More Importantly, A Press Conference with the Football Coach Was Called Off
Football is king at LSU. The team just climbed to No. 2 behind Alabama in the AP college football poll. LSU lost to Alabama in last year’s Bowl Championship Series title game.
9. No Additional Information Has Been Released Regarding the Nature of the Threat
10. There’s Been A Rash of These
This threat follows bomb-threat campus evacuations last Friday at University of Texas at Austin, North Dakota State in Fargo, and Hiram College in Ohio. Friday’s threat at UT Austin claimed to be from al-Qaeda. Louisiana cops are comparing notes with their colleagues in the other three states.
UPDATE: 42-YEAR-OLD BUSTED FOR LSU BOMB THREAT