Virginia Tech® home

Update on email threats received Aug. 29

From: Virginia Tech Police Department

Friday, September 9, 2016, 4:35 p.m.

Working with state and federal partners, the Virginia Tech Police Department has been able to identify that the threatening emails originated from a South American country.  Both federal and foreign authorities have been involved in the investigation and have now assumed primary roles.  The Virginia Tech Police Department continues to provide assistance to those agencies, as needed.

Safety is the responsibility of everyone and community members are encouraged to report suspicious behavior, including emails and social media posts that raise concern.  Information should be reported to the Police Department at 540-382-4343 or emailed to threatassessment@vt.edu.  Anonymous reports can also be made on the Police Department website.

Wednesday, Aug. 31, 10:41 a.m.

The threatening emails received by university affiliates on Monday, August 29 remains an open investigation with the Virginia Tech Police Department.  At this point in the investigation, it does not appear that the location of origin of the threatening emails is within the region. Numerous reports of similar incidents from throughout the United States continue to be communicated to the Virginia Tech Police Department, and all of the agencies involved continue to collectively investigate this matter. 

The Virginia Tech Police Department, along with state and federal authorities, remain vigilant in their pursuit of determining the individual or individuals responsible.

The campus community is reminded to remain aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious persons or activities immediately to the Virginia Tech Police Department. The university will continue its daily operations as normal.

Tuesday, Aug. 30, 9:23 p.m.

The Virginia Tech Police Department continues to investigate the threat received Monday. At this time, there is no additional information to report.

Anyone with any information should send an email to threatassessment@vt.edu or call 540-382-4343.

Monday, Aug. 29, 5 p.m.

The following update to the Virginia Tech community is from Virginia Tech Police Chief Kevin Foust:

The Virginia Tech Police Department has an ongoing active investigation under way and appreciates the assistance and cooperation from the campus community.

At this point we have learned other schools have also received cyber-threats today. The safety of campus is a primary concern, and with this in mind, we remain vigilant in our investigation. Campus is open and operating under normal conditions; classes are in session.

The Virginia Tech Police Department is working with our state and federal partners. We continue to ask anyone with any information about this cyber-threat to contact us at threatassessment@vt.edu or call 540-382-4343.

Monday, Aug. 29, 2:30 p.m.

At this time, the Virginia Tech Police Department can confirm that an email was sent to dozens of emails addresses within our campus community that included a threat to campus safety.

The Virginia Tech Police Department takes all such incidents seriously and are actively investigating.

We are seeking information to assist in this investigation and ask that anyone with information about this send an email to threatassessment@vt.edu or call 540-382-4343.

Share this page