Freshman arrested after bomb threat forces evacuation of Russell Complex

10:10 p.m., March 11, 2012--An 18-year-old University of Delaware freshman has been charged in connection with the bomb threat that forced the evacuation of the Russell Residence Hall Complex and Dining Hall on the evening of Saturday, March 10.

The suspect has been charged with terroristic threatening and initiating a false report. He was arraigned March 11 through Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on $4,000 unsecured bond. He has been banned from the University’s campus pending a hearing with the Office of Student Conduct.

When an anonymous threatening phone call was received March 10, UD Police evacuated the Russell Dining Hall and secured the area. After a suspicious backpack was found in the dining hall, the perimeter of the evacuation area was extended to include all of the Russell Residence Hall Complex. 

In addition to UD Police investigators and members of the K-9 unit, investigators from the Newark Police, the Wilmington Police and Delaware State Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit were called to the scene to assist.

Around 10 p.m., the area was declared safe, and students were allowed to return to their residence hall rooms. 

During the incident, two emails were sent to all members of the University community advising them that the area had been evacuated. A third email at 10 p.m. advised students that they could return to their residence halls.