Bay Area schools, businesses receive threats as part of apparent nationwide scare

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Reports of bomb threats have forced evacuations and lockdowns at schools, businesses, and government buildings across the country Thursday, but many of the nation's biggest law enforcement agencies seem to have concluded the threats were a hoax.

In the Bay Area, Channelside Academy of Math and Science K-8 in Tampa received a threat via email, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. 

The school was cleared and no bomb was found. 

The University of South Florida reports it received a threat. In a tweet, USF police said the agency was "working a number of bomb threat calls from emails sent on campus. There have been similar threats to several locations around the country.  No credible threat found at this point."

Tampa police issued a statement saying:

"At this time, TPD has received six reports of bomb threats in the city. The email message appears to be similar to others reported around the state and nation. As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities that could represent a threat to public safety."

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said two businesses had been emailed threats: Roman and Gaynor Law Group in Clearwater and Barry L Mears Construction, Inc. in Tarpon Springs.

The St. Petersburg Police Department said it was investigating four bomb threats to businesses in the community, but no devices have been found.

"All four appear to be connected to similar threats received across the country. We do not believe the public is in danger, but we are working with our law enforcement partners to share and investigate these threats thoroughly." St. Pete PD said.

The FBI Washington Field Office tweeted an image saying "We are aware of the recent bomb threats made in cities around the country and we remain in touch with our law enforcement partners to provide assistance."

The NYPD's counter-terrorism officials tweeted a similar message saying, "We are currently monitoring multiple bomb threats that have been sent electronically to various locations throughout the city. The threats are also being reported to other locations & are NOT considered credible at this time."

NYPD News' Twitter account posted a message saying the email bomb threats were asking for bitcoin payments as ransom.

"Please be advised - there is an email being circulated containing a bomb threat asking for bitcoin payment. While this email has been sent to numerous locations, searches have been conducted and NO DEVICES have been found."

In Colorado Springs, Colorado, school district 20 a spokesperson told FOX 21 multiple threats had been received, but none were credible.

In Moscow Mills, Missouri, a recipient of the alleged threat shared its text with FOX2Now.com. It says, in part:

“Hello, There is an explosive device (Tetryl) in the building where your company is conducted... You pay me $20’000 in Bitcoin and explosive will not detonate, but don’t try to fool me."

In Nashville, Tennessee, FOX 17 reports police were investigating several emailed bomb threats made to schools, a cemetery, and businesses. In some cases, a $20,000 ransom was requested.

Massachusetts State Police said officers were tracking multiple bomb threats emailed to "numerous businesses."