Azusa Pacific University was asked to evacuate at approximately 5:30 p.m. due to a potential bomb threat and suspicious messages the university received this afternoon. The Azusa Pacific Police Department (APD) made the determination to evacuate both campuses.
If you are at or near the Azusa campuses it has been advised to follow instructions. APD tweeted additional information that all should avoid the area and expect road closures and delays until further notice.
APU Campus Safety notified students via text and email of the evacuation.
Reports of an active bomber have not been confirmed by any official source despite posts on social media. APD and Campus safety are still conducting an investigation.
Updated at 6:08 p.m.
Just after 6:00 p.m., APU students received another email update that students on campus are being asked to shelter in place.
All other individuals near the Azusa campuses are still being directed to follow the advice of APD and Campus Safety.
The latest updates are for students living in university housing to shelter in place. Evacuation orders are still in place for those on East and West Campus.
Updated at 7:24 p.m.
Campus safety has sent out an email notification that the evacuation notice applies to all regional campuses including Monrovia, Orange County, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, High Desert, Murrieta and San Diego.
Updated at 7:50 p.m.
According to Lt. Jorge Sandoval of Azusa Police Department, “shortly after 4 o’clock in the afternoon” Azusa Police department received an email from APU campus safety informing them that APU had received an email threat regarding “several potential explosive devices being left or placed on their campus.”
The threat had no specific location.
The APD immediately responded and requested aid. APD currently has several teams on campus clearing buildings and common areas. Multiple teams of officers and explosive canines are searching the campus.
As of right now they have not discovered any devices.
They continue to ask the general public to stay away from the area.
Lt. Sandoval stated that most faculty and staff evacuated before the shelter in place. He asked all students and faculty still on campus to evacuate.
The threat remains only a threat without any verification to this point.
Update 9:07 p.m.
Just retuning home from track and field practice, business management sophomore Christopher Rogers recalled his time at the scene.
He recalls only hearing lots of laughing and crying without any direction. Many in the student body were confused and did not know whether this was serious or a drill. No one had a clear direction or instructions as some felt they were to shelter while others felt they had to evacuate.
Update at 10:20 p.m.
Lt. Robert Chivas of the APD, who was in charge of the tactical operation tonight, has confirmed that east campus has been cleared, and the focus is now on the northern and eastern parts of west campus.
Alosta Ave. has also been open for through traffic.
An update from campus safety has now ensured that all living areas and east campus are safe.
Although there may be police roadblocks to some vehicles, all students may return to their living units. Once returned, all students are still being required to shelter in place.
Final update at 10:24 p.m.
Lt. Chivas has reported an all clear on both campuses. Campus safety has officially announced that there is an all clear on both campuses and business may resume as usual.
This was a breaking news report. More information was provided as it became available.