Bomb Threat At St. Croix Educational Complex This Morning Turns Out To Be Hoax

ST. THOMAS — The Department of Education confirmed to The Consortium on Friday that a bomb threat was made against the St. Croix Educational  Complex this morning, prompting the school’s administration to immediately evacuate the students to the University of the Virgin Islands’ field across from the high school.

The bomb threat, which is not new to the territory’s schools, turned out to be a hoax, according to law enforcement and D.O.E. officials.

The threat was not made directly to the school. Instead, the caller phoned the 911 emergency call center between 10:20 – 10:25 a.m. stating that a bomb had been placed in the school.

According to D.O.E. Director of Public Relations, Cynthia Graham, security personnel who oversee the St. Croix Educational Complex immediately made their way to the facility and notified school administration, which then immediately commenced the evacuation process.

“The evacuation protocol is to have the students get over to the UVI campus, which is what they did,” Ms. Graham said. She later clarified that the students were initially placed on the field, but were later moved closer to the UVI campus.

Once the students were cleared, V.I.P.D. bomb units entered the facility to investigate. At the same time, other officers blocked the east and west sides of the Queen Mary Highway (Centerline Road) leading to the UVI/Complex area, in an effort to keep the area free from the flow of traffic.

Ms. Graham said the school was searched thoroughly, and was deemed safe for the students to return to class, as nothing was found. The all-clear was given at about 11:45 a.m., Ms. Graham said.

The V.I.P.D. was said to be continuing its investigation into the the bomb threat, with Ms. Graham adding that D.O.E. would share more details once they become available. She also stressed that all students were safe and accounted for during and after the incident.

School continued until regular dismissal time.

Feature Image: V.I.P.D. unit parked sideways preventing traffic from traveling near the bomb investigation scene. (Credit: VIC)