Suspicious package found on Pitt's campus; Bomb threats continue

OAKLAND, Pa. — Investigators said a suspicious package was found on the University of Pittsburgh's campus Thursday afternoon.

Police said a backpack with wires hanging out of it was found in one of the Litchfield Towers.

Meanwhile, two more rounds of bomb threats were reported at the school  after the backpack was discovered.

A bomb threat was received for the Cathedral of Learning, the Chevron Building, the Barco Law School, Posvar and Benedum halls around 4:30 p.m.

Pitt also sent out the following ENS alert just before 2 p.m., "A bomb threat has been received for Alumni Hall. Please evacuate the building.  If safe to do so, tell others of this message."

A round of bomb threats was also received earlier Thursday.

Officials said the threats targeted Litchfield Towers, Sutherland, Bruce, Lothrop and Pennsylvania halls. The threats were received just before 8 a.m.

Authorities said they didn't find anything suspicious and the buildings have reopened.

Thursday’s threats follow more than a dozen that were reported Wednesday.

Barco Law School and Bellefield and Holland halls were evacuated at about 1:50 p.m. Wednesday for a bomb threat, and about 20 minutes later, Pitt emptied Sennott Square, Amos, Mervis and Pennsylvania halls after another threat.

At 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, the university ordered Thackeray Hall evacuated for another bomb threat.

An ongoing series of threats have been delivered by email or in handwritten messages at various campus locations since Feb. 13 and have led to more than 110 evacuations of campus buildings. Authorities have not found explosives.

The university is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest of those responsible for the threats.

WPXI