Updated: Bomb Threat Investigation at University Ends

Update 12:30 p.m.

The commotion is all over this morning at the Prince William Campus of George Mason University.

The school has resumed normal operations as of 12:30 p.m. after a bomb threat forced the evacuation of the Manassas-area campus. No bomb was reported to have been found.

The Governor’s School at Innovation, which houses students from Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park, was also evacuated.

Here’s the latest in a statement from Prince William County Public Schools:

Police investigation of a reported bomb threat has concluded at the Prince William Campus of George Mason University. Campus has resumed normal operations. All Governor’s School @ Innovation Park (GS@IP) students are safe, accounted for and have been picked up by parents or are being transported to their base schools.

Superintendent Steven Walts and Acting Associate Superintendent Wayne Mallard were on site to coordinate efforts to assist the GS@IP students. GS@IP students were prevented by the ongoing investigation from retrieving their cars and personal belongings. Dr. Walts has authorized PWCS school-based administrative staff to assist students who need a ride from base schools back to the GMU campus to retrieve cars or belongings.

Update 10 a.m. 

Students on the George Mason Campus’ Beacon Hall are being told to remain in place while students at the Governor’s School are being evacuated: 

Access to the GMU campus continues to be limited due to bomb threat investigation. All GS@IP students are safe at the Freedom Aquatic Center. GS@IP students who drove to school are unable to access their vehicles due to the continuing investigation. Parents, with appropriate identification, should pick them up at the Freedom Center. Transportation back to base schools is currently being arranged for those who cannot be picked up. Note that traffic in the area is heavy due to the investigation.

9:27 a.m. 

MANASSAS, Va. — A bomb threat has been called into George Mason University Campus in Prince William County.

That has prompted a police response in the area, classes to be canceled, and activities at the Freedom Fitness and Aquatic Center to close.

Here’s more in a press release from university police:

Bomb Threat being investigated on the Prince William Campus.

Discovery Hall, Occoquan, and Bull Run Hall have been evacuated. Please remain away from these buildings until further notice. Follow the direction of police and emergency response personnel. The Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center is open.

We are seeking information about the individual(s) who made this threat. If you have any information about this situation please contact us at (703) 993-2810.

This all happened sometime after 8 a.m. today. Here’s the official message posted on the university’s website: 

George Mason University Police are investigating a bomb threat on the Prince William Campus. Discovery Hall, Occoquan Buillding, and Bull Run Hall have been evacuated. Please remain away from these buildings and follow the direction of University Police and emergency response personnel. Mason shuttle service is suspended. A Mason Alert message will be sent when the buildings can be reoccupied or if additional delays are expected.

Prince William Campus employees currently on campus can shelter in place, telework or work from a location at an alternate campus. Residential students at Beacon Hall should remain in place at the Freedom and Aquatic Fitness Center.

The Freedom Center also posted this message to their website:

All Morning Classes are CANCELLED including Preschool, Group Fitness, Sports, Aquatics, & Arts and Education Classes and the center may not be accessible until 12:00 Noon due to a Police Investigation. Please check back with us for further updates.

Prince William County Public Schools also reports at the Governor’s School at Innovation Park is also being evacuated.

GS@IP Evacuation Continues-Parents Can Pick Up Students at Freedom Center w/ID. Police investigating reported bomb threat on Mason campus.

— PWCS (@PWCSNews) March 13, 2014