Updated: Pitt receives five bomb threats Friday

Pitt received its 25 bomb threat of the semester today.

The University sent out an Emergency… 9:50 p.m. — Almost two hours after the Cathedral of Learning received a bomb threat, four Pitt dorms received one as well.

Pitt sent out an Emergency Notification System alert at 6:15 p.m. today notifying the campus to bomb threats at Lothrop Hall, Holland Hall, Forbes Hall and Sutherland Hall.

At 8:30 p.m. another ENS alert said that Lothrop Hall had been cleared, and by 9:45 p.m. Sutherland Hall had been cleared.

These four threats bring the total bomb threat count of the semester to 29.

The University sent out the first ENS alert of the day around 4:30 p.m. telling the campus of a bomb threat at the Cathedral of Learning.

The buildings were all being evacuated.

David J. Hickton, United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, issued a statement today about the bomb threats at Pitt.

In the statement he said that the Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes Pitt police as a contributing member, is working to find the source of the threats.

“The safety and welfare of the University of Pittsburgh community is a top priority. The bomb threats since February 13, 2012, are being vigorously, aggressively and thoroughly investigated through every possible means,” the statement said.

“While the disruption and fear engendered by such threats is unconscionable, we commend the resilience of the University community,” it said. “The University of Pittsburgh is exercising appropriate regard for safety, through its notification system and through evacuations when threats are received and evaluated, while refusing to allow such threats to paralyze the entire University community in its pursuit of learning and teaching.”

Hickton said in the statement that he cannot comment on the specifics of the investigation, but that he is continuing to work with Pitt and the FBI to investigate the criminal activity.

Today’s threat comes after five on Thursday at the Cathedral of Learning, Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Posvar Hall, Chevron Science Center and Litchfield Towers.