Law enforcement authorities are still conducting an investigation into who might have made a call of a bomb threat to North Central Missouri College on Wednesday that led to the evacuation of the campus, including the Ketcham Community Center and both residential dormitories.
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Law enforcement authorities are still conducting an investigation into who might have made a call of a bomb threat to North Central Missouri College on Wednesday that led to the evacuation of the campus, including the Ketcham Community Center and both residential dormitories.
NCMC officials say there were no signs of suspicious activity found following a thorough examination of all college buildings on Wednesday evening. Three specially-trained dogs were brought in to search buildings on campus as well as inspect unusual activity on the college grounds. The dogs were brought in from the Missouri Fire Marshal’s office, the Kansas City Division of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Moberly Canine Department. Also assisting in the search were representatives from the Trenton Police and Fire departments, the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol and all were on the property until approximately 8:30 p.m.
In addition, barricades were placed around the campus by the Trenton Street Department to keep traffic from the area and law enforcement authorities assisted in keeping persons out of the campus area. The barricades were removed this morning, however, persons were still not being allowed back on the campus.
A bomb threat was received at the school just before noon on Wednesday, with the caller stating that three bombs were set to go off at 8 o’clock today. The caller, identified as a male, did not specify whether the time was morning or evening. A place where the alleged bombs might be located was also not identified.
According to Public Relations Director Steve Maxey, the call came into the main switchboard of the college, located in the Alexander Student Center. A student who was answering telephones at the time took the message and immediately notified college officials, who then put an immediate emergency response plan in place. Maxey said the staff and faculty were asked to voluntarily search their respective offices, classrooms and common areas for any unusual activities or signs of irregularity. Students were also dismissed from classes at the same time and sent home. Students living in the dormitories were also sent home, with housing being found for those individuals who live far away from the campus and could not go home. Nearly 150 residential students were affected.
Maxey went on to say that the departure was speedy and cooperative and thanked students for their assistance in vacating the campus in a timely fashion.. He also thanked the community for its cooperation as well as the many law enforcement professionals who assisted in this effort.
As a precautionary measure, classes on campus have been cancelled until Monday, April 14 as well as all other activities. Maxey said this would include activities in the Ketcham Community Center. Offices are tentatively scheduled to be open on Friday. If there are any changes in this schedule, the public will be notified through the media.
Also closed today was the Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library, which was closed on Wednesday after the threat was received.
CAAP Exiting Testing, planned for today and Friday at the college, has been moved to the First Christian Church and will be held on Friday and Saturday. Friday’s test will be given from noon to 5 p.m. while Saturday’s test will be given from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.