Bomb threat on MU campus

Two bomb threats Friday afternoon on the MU campus interrupted the close of the week for students and staff.

Between 2:57 and 3 p.m., Gannett and Gwynn halls each received a bomb threat via telephone, which were then reported to MU police, according to MU police Capt. Scott Richardson.

Gannett building coordinator Pat Cloyd said she received a call from MU police around 3 p.m., informing her of the bomb threat and instructing her to vacate Gannett and Neff Halls. Neff Annex, which is adjacent to Neff Hall, appeared to be evacuated as well. "I'm sure they got out," Cloyd said. "When the buildings are connected word moves pretty fast."

All three buildings are part of the School of Journalism.

MU junior Matt Tapia was in the computer lab of Gannett Hall when the building was evacuated shortly before he was scheduled for class. "At 4 a police officer said it would be at least another hour, so we should find another place to have class," Tapia said.

Sam Rossenfoss, a prospective MU student, was visiting the campus with his father, Stephen, and happened to be passing Gannett when the building was evacuated. Neither seemed fazed by the bomb threat; they were more concerned with when they could go back inside to pick up more information on the school.

Richardson said all buildings came up clean when MU swept them with a police dog and followed up with a physical inspection by two to three officers. By 4:30 p.m., students, faculty and staff were back inside all buildings.

MU police were investigating the source of the calls, Richardson said.