LOGAN — A hoax bomb threat called into Utah State University (USU) Thursday evening prompted a sweep of three campus buildings, though police quickly determined the call was a false alarm.
The threat was received at approximately 5:30 p.m. via a non-emergency line originating from an internet VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) system, according to Amanda DeRito, USU Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications.
“Out of an abundance of caution, USU Police swept three buildings, which took approximately 30 minutes,” DeRito said. The buildings were cleared, and normal campus activities immediately resumed.
The incident follows a similar hoax the previous night at the University of Utah, where students sheltered in place after a false report of a stabbing and active shooter near freshman dorms. That incident was also determined by police to be “swatting”—the illegal practice of placing false emergency calls to provoke a massive law enforcement response.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defines swatting as an action intended to create chaos and potentially result in violence. Swatting incidents typically involve claims of violent crimes such as active shooters or bomb threats and are becoming increasingly common across the country, targeting individuals, schools, and government facilities.
USU and U of U police are working with federal partners to investigate the threats, which carry serious legal consequences for the perpetrators if identified. University officials stressed the importance of treating all threats seriously while ensuring the safety of students and staff.