DALLAS – Dallas Baptist University cancelled classes and evacuated after several threats were made ahead of Thursday morning’s visit by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner.
Turner is a former DBU trustee. He also was an associate pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano when he was nominated to be HUD secretary.
Kim Soto, assistant director of media and public relations, confirmed DBU was made aware of the unverified threats and is responding with an abundance of caution.
“Dallas Baptist University has been made aware of several unverified threats involving the campus. While there is no confirmed indication of immediate danger, university leadership is proactively assessing the situation and working closely with law enforcement officials to ensure the safety of our community,” Soto said.
“The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. Additional updates will be shared as appropriate, as the situation continues to be monitored,” Soto added.
DBU issued an “emergency response” on Facebook announcing the cancelation of classes for Thursday, Jan. 22, “out of an abundance of caution.”
The Dallas Morning News reported the Dallas Police Department is investigating the reported threats.
DBU released a statement Thursday afternoon announcing the campus will reopen Friday, Jan. 23, HUD Secretary Turner’s visit will be postponed, and cooperation will continue with Dallas Police and the FBI on the investigation.
“We are grateful to share that the Dallas Police Department and the FBI worked alongside our DBU Police Department to investigate the matter, and we can now issue an all-clear. There is no active or ongoing threat to our campus community. Classes and normal University operations will resume tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 23,” DBU Communications said.
DBU, in coordination with local law enforcement officials, said no credible threat was confirmed.
This article originally appeared in the Baptist Standard.
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