JACKSONVILLE, Fla — Jacksonville University has been marked safe after a "threat of violence" prompted a mandatory evacuation of students and staff members on campus Friday afternoon.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office conducted a search of the campus and verified it safe for students and staff to return, according to the university's Twitter.
University officials said the campus was put under a mandatory evacuation after a staff member received an email from an individual threatening violence to members of the campus.
In a message to faculty and students, JU wrote "We take such threats very seriously. Upon discovering the email, the University immediately activated its emergency plan for such a scenario, issuing a campus-wide evacuation alert via text, through all campus computers, on our social media channels and our website. "
The university also said it will continue to work closely with JSO to investigate the threat and "prosecute the individual(s) responsible."
JSO will be conducting extra patrols on campus next week out of an abundance of caution.
JU urges all staff and students to sign up for campus text alerts.
-- Original Story
Jacksonville University has been evacuated following a "threat of violence" made to the campus Friday afternoon, according to the university's website.
University officials initially alerted students on the school's website and through an emergency message system after a staff member received an email about a threat to members of the campus.
Officials say the incident is currently under investigation and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is conducting a thorough search of all university buildings. Students and staff are advised to remain off-campus until further notice.
A spokesperson for the university sent First Coast News the following statement.
“Out of an abundance of caution, Jacksonville University has issued a mandatory evacuation of its campus after a staff member received an email from an individual threatening violence to members of the campus. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is currently conducting a thorough search of all University buildings and grounds as they investigate this matter and work to determine whether it's safe for students, faculty and staff to return. All members of campus are advised to remain off site until further notice.”
First Coast News has a crew on scene and is working to bring you more information as this story develops.