Bellarmine University evacuated after bomb threat in 'the name of Donald Trump'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Bellarmine University briefly evacuated parts of its Newburg Road campus Monday night after receiving an email from someone who claimed to have placed explosive devices in two buildings.

"In the name of Donald Trump I have hidden highly lethal lead azide devices in the library and cafeteria," the email said in its entirety, according to a copy obtained by WDRB News. The subject line read, "My manifesto."

The email was sent at 7:27 p.m. to more than 90 campus addresses, including the human resources and admissions departments.

Bellarmine, a private university of about 3,000 students, posted on X shortly after 8 p.m. that it was ordering the evacuation of the library and dining hall due to a "bomb threat."

Louisville police conducted a sweep with Bellarmine officials but "nothing was located," a spokesman said. "Our investigation into this threat is ongoing."

Bellarmine said before 10 p.m. on X that "the threat to our campus was deemed not credible."

The emailed threat came hours after Bellarmine announced it had suspended instructor John James, who posted over the weekend on social media, "If you're gonna shoot, man, don't miss," with a screenshot of an article about Saturday's assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

A Bellarmine spokesman said the university believes the incidents are connected.

Trump, the former president who is campaigning for another term in office, was the target of an assassination attempt Saturday at a rally in Butler, Penn.

A barrage of gunfire set off panic, as a bloodied Trump was surrounded by Secret Service and hurried to his SUV as he pumped his fist in a show of defiance, after suffering a bullet wound to his right ear.

The FBI early Sunday identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The agency said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Trump called for unity and resilience Sunday after the attempt on his life injected fresh uncertainty into an already tumultuous presidential campaign, while President Joe Biden, a Democrat, implored Americans to “cool it down” in the final stretch and “resolve our differences at the ballot box.”

This story may be updated.