College: FBI to probe online threat against campus

EASTON, (AP) — An eastern Pennsylvania college says the FBI is investigating an online threat against the campus by someone claiming loyalty to the Islamic State.

Lafayette College said shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday that “an extensive room-by-room search” of the Easton campus turned up “no malicious or hazardous materials.”

Officials said someone claiming to be a male student Saturday night threatened an attack with “pipe bombs, pressure cookers and nail bombs,” saying his faith had been ridiculed.

Lafayette said it was working with police and the FBI to determine the threat’s legitimacy. Officials asked students to stay where they were and those off campus to stay away while the threat was assessed.

College president Alison Byerly said no lockdown was initiated and students were free to leave buildings if they wished.