CT Bomb Threat Hoax: Several Schools, Businesses Evacuated

NEWTOWN, CT — Six years to the day that 20 children and six educators were killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School there is a "threat" being investigated by the Police Department Friday morning.

The school was evacuated and students were dismissed for the day, according to Newtown Action. "Please stand with our community as we attempt to survive another tragic anniversary. #EndGunViolence #SandyHookStrong."

This threat comes one day after the state and nation were flooded with bomb threat hoaxes as a mass email went out demanding a ransom in bitcoin in order to not defuse these alleged bombs. No bombs were found and the ransom demand was panned as a hoax and attempted scam.

As of 10 a.m., it's unclear whether the threat placed to Sandy Hook School is the same one that occurred across the country on Thursday.

Connecticut State Police are investigating a series of "suspicious incidents" across the state including in Griswold, Suffield, Newtown, Ridgefield, Madison, Fairfield, Danbury, Westport, Wallingford, Bloomfield, Seymour, and many other communities. This was a trend nationwide and not unique to Connecticut. There is no evidence that these are credible threats and many agencies have said the threats are hoaxes.

"Bogus threats were made to businesses and other locations in our area today. The threat came via email and demanded Bitcoin in order to prevent a bomb from being detonated. If you receive such an email don’t send Bitcoin or any other payment," Norwalk Police said late Thursday.

Schools in Madison, Suffield and Griswold were evacuated due to the threats. Wesleyan University also received a bomb threat to the Cady Building, according to reports.

Connecticut State Police released a statement saying, "To date, none of the threats were found to be creditable but we strongly encourage anyone who may receive a suspicious email, to immediately call 911. The Connecticut State Police are currently working with our federal, state and local partners in the investigation of this incident and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Cyber Crimes Investigative Unit and Connecticut Intelligence Center (CTIC) are also working to identify the source of the emails that are circulating across various locations in the state.

"As always, we would like to remind everyone, “If You See Something, Say Something.” Anyone who sees something out of the ordinary should call the state's 24-hour Homeland Security Tip Line at 1-866-HLSTIPS (1-866-457-8477). If immediate attention is necessary, you should always call 9-1-1," State Police said.

School Evacuations in Suffield, Madison and Griswold

Connecticut State Police said at 1:10 p.m. Troopers from Troop E-Montville responded to Griswold Elementary School located at 303 Slater Avenue for the report of a suspicious incident. As a precautionary measure, the elementary school was evacuated and members of the Emergency Services Unit (ESU) were on scene conducting an investigation.

Suffield Emergency Services also responded to a bomb threat made by email to McAlister Middle School. Students and faculty were evacuated as a precaution.

Suffield Police added, "We have received additional information that this is a nationwide event. Out of an abundance of caution, we will continue to work to assure the school is safe."

Madison school officials said, "As you may be aware, numerous email threats have been made around the state today, and it was reported that hundreds of others were made around the country as well. Daniel Hand High School received one of these emails late this afternoon. As a result, we have evacuated the building based on advisement from the Madison Police Department, until the state police can bring the explosives-detecting squad to the school prior to reentry for staff and students."

In a 5 p.m. update, Madison school officials say, "A search of Daniel Hand High School by the state police bomb squad and explosives-detecting dogs was just conducted and the school has been cleared by the law enforcement officials. We were informed that the same process has been employed at schools across the state receiving suspicious emails today. Additionally, the FBI has determined similar threats across the nation are not credible."

Fairfield County Club Evacuated

Fairfield Police said at 1:02 p.m. they received a call from the Country Club of Fairfield, 936 Sasco Hill Road. The caller stated that an employee received an email that there was a bomb in the building and that if they did not send $20,000 in bitcoin they would detonate the device, police said.

The business and parking lot were evacuated, and the parking area was closed off from additional traffic, police said. An explosives detection K-9 responded and conducted a sweep of the building. There was no device located and the scene was cleared.

"There were similar incidents reported in other jurisdictions in Connecticut within the same time period. This case is under investigation by the Fairfield Police Detective Bureau," Fairfield Police said.

More Threats Across CT

Emergency responders were called to the National Shooting Association in Newtown and the Seybridge Plaza in Seymour concerning similar bomb threats.

"Our Cyber Crimes Investigative Unit and Connecticut Intelligence Center (CTIC) are currently working to identify the source of the emails that are circulating across various agencies in the state," State Police said.

Ridgefield Police said they are "currently investigating reports of e-mailed bomb threats. Members of our Uniform and Detective Divisions are following up on these incidents. The emails are similar to ones received across Connecticut today. It appears, but is not yet confirmed, that these emails are part of a mass mailing."

Danbury Police also said "multiple organizations in Danbury have received bomb threats. It appears the threats are being delivered via email and contain a bitcoin wallet address for a ransom payment. Investigations are active but as of this time, no devices have been located."

NBC Connecticut says Westport and Cromwell also received emailed bomb threats too.

WFSB 3 TV reports that threats have also been made at two office buildings in Bloomfield including Jefferson Radiology and Hartford Healthcare, and the Bristol Senior Center. Four bomb threats were made in Wallingford but were not aimed at anything specific.

Again, these threats are not unique to Connecticut and are occurring throughout the country.

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