The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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Grace Bair, Social Media Editor • April 26, 2024
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Email sent to Bush Center was a bomb threat, UPPD says

George W. Bush Center and surrounding streets on SMU’s campus were closed off on Thursday afternoon after a suspicious email.
The+Bush+Center+was+evacuated+Thursday+because+of+a+bomb+threat+received+via+email+that+afternoon.
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The Bush Center was evacuated Thursday because of a bomb threat received via email that afternoon.

The George W. Bush Presidential Center received an email bomb threat on Thursday, according to a University Park Police report.

Staff at the Bush Center received a suspicious email around 3 p.m., police said. The building was subsequently evacuated.

Parts of Airline Road, Mockingbird Lane and SMU Boulevard were blocked off while police investigated the threat.

SMU Police, Dallas Police and University Park Police all responded to the scene while two helicopters monitored the area.

Following the investigation, police determined the email was a hoax.

The Bush Center posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, confirming the threat staff received.

“National Archives and Records Administration staff received a suspicious email,” the statement said. “Out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with security protocols, local authorities were notified. The building has been safely evacuated.”

Former president George W. Bush and Laura Bush were not at the Bush Center, according to the statement.

It’s unclear what the contents of the email were, but a University Park Police report revealed that it was a bomb threat.

SMU campus operation remained normal during the area, though it disrupted some classes. An advisory note sent by SMU Aware at 3:39 notified campus faculty, students and staff to avoid the Bush Center. The university gave the all-clear at 4:46 p.m. on Thursday in an email to students and faculty.

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About the Contributors
Ellis Rold
Ellis Rold, Editor-in-Chief
As the DC's editor-in-chief, Rold primarily focuses on investigative reporting. She covers SMU Greek life, administration, Student Senate and more. Contact her at [email protected].
Sara Hummadi
Sara Hummadi, Video Editor
As video editor, Sara works with the social media editor to develop video content for The Daily Campus. She works with the newsroom to develop a "Question of the Week," relevant to SMU students, which helps us get to know our community a lot better. Sara was previously news editor of The Daily Campus in fall 2023 and works as a digital news intern at NBC Channel 5 in Dallas.