Bomb hoax clears Union

A bomb threat was reported at Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union at approximately 9:37 p.m. Thursday night, according to police dispatchers. About 20 minutes later, police reported the threat was made from a pay phone at a convenience store on South Walnut Street by a young male. \nInside Alumni Hall, the IU College Republicans and Monroe County GOP were in the midst hosting an Inaugural Ball, which was disbanded because of the threat. \nBloomington Police Department was advised to check out the pay phone address but nobody was there when they arrived, IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said. \n"Currently there is no indication as to who was actually using the phone," Minger said. "The caller indicated a bomb was to go off in the IMU in 10 minutes, but by the time officers got there and attempted to evacuate the time of detonation had already passed."\nMinger said officers did a cursory search of the building and with no findings and the fact that the "detonation time" had passed, officers believed the threat to be a hoax.\nSophomore Matt Lettelleir, vice chair of the IU College Republicans, was inside when the threat was reported.\n"I didn't hear the alarm ... a cop came up to me and asked us to clear the building," he said. "We had to leave our auction items there, our computer. The band had to leave their instruments there. I don't know who called this bomb threat in but if it turns out to be false, it's childish and completely irresponsible."\nSeveral officers arrived on the scene, and at approximately 9:47 p.m. police decided to evacuate the building. \nBecause there was no public address system, a decision was made to sound the fire alarm to alert the guests to leave the building. Police dispatchers believed about 150 people were inside Alumni Hall at the time of the \nincident. Others in attendance guessed the number of guests was upwards of 300-500 guests.\nPatrons speculated as to the motivation behind the threat.\n"If I had to take my first gut instinct I would say it's politically motivated," Lettelleir said. "(But) I don't believe it's a legitimate threat until I'm proven otherwise."\nFranklin Andrew, Co-Sponsor of College Republicans Inaugural Ball said the specificity of the threat was an issue of concern.\n"It seemed rather suspect that the bomb threat was in the room in which we were holding a Republican event," he said. "What is a surprise is that someone would cause this kind of situation to go forward. Not only did they have to evacuate our event but they also had to evacuate the entire union including the Hotel as a result of some childish individual who thought that this would be a cute stunt."\nAs snow fell down and cold winds blew outside, large groups, dressed to impress in tuxedos and evening gowns, gathered in the lobby of the Union. \nSophomore Jeremy Strife, member of College Republicans also believed there might be a political motivation behind the threat.\n"The only thing that makes me think that it would be politically motivated was the specificity of the room," he said. "We were told later that the bomb threat was not called in to the whole building but the room that we were in."\nIMU workers who were outside cleaning the sidewalks were advised to come in the building over their radios.\n"Front desk to custodians, we have to evacuate the building," dispatchers said. "Brendy, Terry and Brad. As soon as you get done clearing we need to get the heck out too." \nPolice advised that radio traffic should only be used for emergencies and workers were directed not to use theirs until further notice.\nWithin ten minutes, herds of people filed down the stairs but still remained in the lobby or outside with no direction as to where to go, or clue as to what was going on.\n"Does anyone know what is going on?" one man shouted. "Is there a problem, what the heck is going on?"\nDespite the situation and seriousness of the threat, the atmosphere at the IMU was not hectic. Guests still straggled throughout the building as officers investigated the situation.\nAn IUPD officer, who remained in the lobby told guests it could be a while until things got straightened out. Partygoers and those staying in the Union were advised that the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation across the street would be open for those who wanted to wait inside. \nAbout 30 minutes after the threat was reported guests were allowed back into the building.\nMinger asks anyone who may have witnessed whoever placed the call to contact police.\n"If anybody should have information that might lead to whoever is responsible for this, we would appreciate a call in to our detectives," Minger said.\n-- Contact Campus Editor Mike Malik at mjmalik@indiana.edu and Campus Editor Mallory Simon at mgsimon@indiana.edu.