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FBI continues bomb threat investigation

Posted at 3:37 PM, Dec 14, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-14 20:57:32-05

COLORADO SPRINGS – The FBI continues its investigation of a wave of bomb threats that left schools, businesses and offices across the nation this week.

Police in every state took the threats seriously, searching every building that was threatened, but in every instance no evidence of explosives was found. Those threats included Columbine High School in Littleton, and several D-20 schools in Colorado Springs.

The FBI says the threats appear to be a widespread hoax involving messages attempting to blackmail institutions for Bitcoin payments. “Someone clearly could be across the globe, maybe suffered a major setback in Bitcoin and thinks they can mine, extort some cash from someone in the U.S.,” said investigator Jim Cavanaugh.

Investigators say all of the emails were sent robo-style, at random. They also say just because no bombs were found at threatened locations, any threats made today should still be taken seriously.

Columbine threat response
A member of the Jefferson County, Colo., Sheriffs Department stands guard outside the main driveway to Columbine High School Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Littleton, Colo. Students were kept inside the building as a large police response was summoned because a caller claimed to have placed explosive devices in the school and was hiding outside with a weapon. The call was determined to be false. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)