Update: The lockdown has now ended. University operations are back to normal, but faculty and staff are not required to return to the school.
Police in Waterloo, Ont., asked both the RCMP and U.S. FBI for help in both assessing whether the threat is credible and to find out where it came from. 4chan is an online forum known for the anonymity of it users.
Wilfrid Laurier University first heard about the threat when the school’s Special Constable got a tip from Crimestoppers at about 3 a.m.. The university then immediately contacted Waterloo police and activated its emergency plan at 6 a.m., putting the school on lockdown.
At the time of writing, students and staff have been advised to stay away from the campus. All classes and meetings have been cancelled until further notice.
Fortunately for the university, it is fall reading week, meaning the campus isn’t as crowded as usual.
“We do have somewhere between, close to 200 students who have remained on campus in residence buildings, so they’re all accounted for,” Kevin Crowley, Laurier’s communication director, told CBC. “We’ve been in touch with them personally in the buildings that they’re in.”
The University of Waterloo, located nearby, remains open and says it hasn’t seen any evidence of a threat towards its campus. However, it is remaining in contact with local police and RCMP.
Wilfrid Laurier University will provide updates via its website as more information becomes available.
