More than 6,000 People Evacuated from Princeton University Following Bomb Threat

A bomb threat was called in to Princeton University's Department of Public Safety shortly before 9 a.m. on Tuesday, prompting an evacuation of roughly 6,500 students, faculty, staff and summer program participants. 

Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies also responded, including the FBI and the New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad.

Shortly after 4 p.m, the University posted the following statement on its website:

In the aftermath of a bomb threat, searches of the Princeton University campus are continuing and significant progress has been made this afternoon. The searches are expected to continue for a few hours more, and University officials hope to reopen campus this evening. However, no decision to reopen will be made until the searches are completed.

As of 3:30 p.m., no explosives had been found. Bomb-sniffing dogs brought in from law enforcement agencies were on campus, and University officials were doing other searches. The bomb threat at the University was one of a number of similar threats around the United States today.

Also, TigerTransit service has been suspended until Wednesday morning.

Those evacuated were directed to go to The Nassau Inn, Princeton Public Libary and the Princeton Arts Council buildings. 

With the exception of essential workers from Public Safety and the Department of Facilities, University employees were directed not to return to work. 

It all started after an unidentified individual called the University's Department of Public Safety and reported that bombs had been placed in various University buildings. The caller warned that the University had a couple of hours to get everyone to safety, according to Princeton Police. 

About 90 minutes later, the University issued an alert that everyone on campus should leave immediately. 

Traffic into Princeton from Route 1 was prohibited, although people were being allowed to leave. Traffic along Washington Road into West Windsor was backed up for several miles trying to get out of town. Police asked people to avoid the downtown area. 

University workers created a barrier to campus along Washington Road, Alexander Street and Nassau. No one was allowed to enter the campus. 

Princeton police and fire units, the New Jersey Transit K-9 Unit and Mercer County Sheriff's Officers with a K-9 Unit responded and West Windsor Police helped with traffic and were on standby.