Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania College Receives Threat From Islamic State Supporter, School Says

An eastern Pennsylvania college says the FBI is investigating an online threat against the campus by someone claiming loyalty to the Islamic State.

Lafayette College said shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday that "an extensive room-by-room search" of the Easton campus turned up "no malicious or hazardous materials."

Officials said someone claiming to be a male student Saturday night threatened an attack with "pipe bombs, pressure cookers and nail bombs," saying his faith had been ridiculed.

Lafayette said it was working with police and the FBI to determine the threat's legitimacy. Officials asked students to stay where they were and those off campus to stay away while the threat was assessed.

College president Alison Byerly said no lockdown was initiated and students were free to leave buildings if they wished.

While officials did not find any indication that the threat was credible and advised a return to normal operations, the FBI continues to investigate the source of the threat. 

"The emotional and practical impact of the event was quite real," school officials said in a statement.

As a result, final exams at the school were pushed from Monday, May 7, to Sunday, May 13. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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