UPDATE: 04/14/2015 5:45am    New York State Police will remain on campus as they continue to investigate.  Classes at Hamilton College will take place as normally scheduled today.  The Clinton Central School District is also operating on a normal schedule.

UPDATE: 04/13/2015 6:32pm    New York State Police will remain on campus as they continue to investigate.  However, the shelter in place order has been lifted at Hamilton College.

Hamilton College issued the following statement on its website:

"At approximately 9:40 a.m., Hamilton College’s Office of Campus Safety received a bomb threat, and the caller referenced a possible shooting at Kirner-Johnson Building. The college immediately instituted an evacuation order for the Kirner-Johnson Building and a shelter-in-place order for the south side of the campus. The order to shelter-in-place was extended to the entire campus a short time later.

Law enforcement agencies responded immediately. Approximately 50 officers from the New York State Police, the Oneida and Madison County Sheriffs, Kirkland Police, Offices of Emergencies Services, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Fires Arms and Explosives were involved in investigating the incident."

Two suspicious packages were identified in Kirner-Johnson Building and found by authorities not to be a threat. The first package contained photographic materials. Kirner-Johnon Building and adjoining buildings and surrounding residence halls were searched by law enforcement officers. No other suspicious items were found. After an extensive search and investigation, law enforcement determined the threats made by the caller were not credible and authorized the college to issue an all-clear message at approximately 5:55 p.m. Officials continue to investigate the initial phone call.

Hamilton College wishes to express its gratitude to the many law enforcement agencies and officers who responded to ensure the safety of the Hamilton College community, the Village of Clinton and the Town of Kirkland. Some New York State Troopers will remain on campus tonight and tomorrow."

UPDATE: 04/13/2015 6:01pm At the recommendation of New York State Police the shelter in place order previously in effect for Hamilton College has now been lifted.

UPDATE: 04/13/2015 5:42pm The shelter in place has now been lifted for all other buildings.  However, vehicles on the South Campus cannot yet be accessed.

UPDATE: 04/13/2015 5:37pm  The shelter in place has now been lifted for the North Campus only.  It remains in place for all other parts of the campus.

UPDATE: 04/13/2015 4:59pm There is no additional information at this time.  School officials say that another update is expected in approximately thirty minutes.  The lockdown is still in place.

UPDATE: 04/13/2015 4:26pm A spokesperson from Hamilton College now says, "Multiple canine units still working on the south campus to ensure the area is safe. Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation."

UPDATE: 04/13/2015 3:15 PM   Hamilton College has issued an update saying that the suspicious package that was identified in the Kirner-Johnson Building was investigated and found not to be a threat. Police are now conducting another search of the building and adjacent buildings with bomb-sniffing dogs to ensure the area is safe. The campus remains on lockdown.

UPDATE 04/13/2015 1:50 PM   All classes at Hamilton have now been cancelled and Clinton Central School has cancelled all afternoon activities.

A press conference has been scheduled for 2:30 PM to update the public on the developing situation at Hamilton College.

In a written release spokedman Vige Barrie says, "There are no new developments to report at this time at Hamilton College. We are waiting for additional personnel to make sure that the area is safe. New York State Police are in command. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office and the Kirkland Police are also on campus. "

Updates From Hamilton College:




UPDATE: 04/13/2015 1:45 PM   Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol has arrived on the scene:

Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol has arrived in scene  Photo Credit: Kristine Bellino
Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol has arrived in scene  Photo Credit: Kristine Bellino
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 WIBX On The Scene

UPDATE: 04/13/2015 1:11pm

In response to the activity at Hamilton College, Clinton Central Schools have issued a "Lock Out" order.

UPDATE: 04/13/2015 12:29 PM

There has been a partial evacuation of the South Campus. Those in McEwen, Milbank, Babbitt, Cafe Opus and Schamback were evacuated to the Field House.

Specialized responders are coming from Albany to investigate a suspicious package.

Original Story:

Police are investigating an active  bomb threat and possible shooter at the Kirner-Johnson Building.

The shelter in place has been extended to the entire campus.

Authorities are instructing everyone at the school to do the following:  "Move inside.  Lock doors if possible, draw curtains, stay away from windows."

Very little information is available at the moment.  WIBX is on the scene and will provide more information as soon as it is available.

The bomb threat reported at 9:45 AM. New York State Police, Kirkland Police, and the Oneida County Sheriff's Office are all on the scene investigating.

 

 


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