Editor’s Note: This story is developing and will be updated. Thome worked on the scene with Azusa Pacific University student reporters at ZU Media.
Update: At 10:24 p.m. on Feb. 17, Lt. Chivas and Lt. Sandoval have confirmed that both campuses have been reopened and deemed safe by the Azusa police department and their technical teams. APU Campus Safety is expected to lift the order on campus soon.
Update: At 10 p.m. on Feb. 17, Lt. Chivas from the Azusa police department said the main campus has been cleared, but Foothill Boulevard will remain closed. The search continues on the west campus, but Alosta Avenue has been reopened. APU Campus Safety said through a text message update that the entire southern area of campus and housing has been deemed safe and is now open. The search continues in the northeast corner of campus and is not yet deemed safe.
Update: At 9:20 p.m. on Feb. 17, Sergeant Lay Aye of Glendora PD said they are “providing mutual aid” by assisting the Azusa PD in searching the APU Campus. He believes Citrus College is in no danger whatsoever. Glendora PD will keep the area updated on social media if the threat extends to Glendora.
Shortly after 4 p.m. this afternoon, Azusa Pacific University reported a bomb threat of “several potential explosive devices being left or placed on their campus” to the Azusa Police Department. The threat arrived via email and no specific area was targeted.
Azusa PD evacuated the East and West campus of students and faculty. Azusa PD Captain Landeros and Lieutenant Sandoval said they currently do not have a number of those evacuated.
Those unable to evacuate were ordered to shelter in place. The evacuation also applies to regional campuses in Monrovia, Orange County, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, High Desert, Murrieta and San Diego.
There were no specifics as to where or when the bomb was allegedly placed. Lt. Sandoval said it is believed that Citrus College is not threatened. Officers are currently looking for suspects in or around the area.
Christine, a Tea Bar employee currently across the street from the campus, said she got an automated phone call from Azusa PD at 5:45 p.m. telling her to shelter in place. She has not received any updates as of 8:50 p.m. from police since and is afraid due to the lack of information.
Azusa PD is coordinating with Baldwin Park, El Monte, Glendora, Covina and Sierra Madre Police Departments in conjunction with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department to respond to the threat with Azusa PD taking the lead. The police are in the process of a “grid search” on campus with canine units. They are asking the public to stay away from the area.
Christopher Rogers, a sophomore at APU, was coming back from track and field practice when he heard the alarms. He was told to evacuate by the overhead speakers as he reached his dorm. Not long after, he received a text message from campus safety to stay indoors, so he didn’t know what to do.
“I don’t know why they would do this to us,” Rogers said. “We are a Christian campus. We are supposed to be spreading the word of God.”
