Students were evacuated from the Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday after an official announced an “emergency” over the intercom. Shortly after, an Otter Alert was released confirming the emergency. Nearby residence halls were told to have students stay 200 feet away from the library as campus officers sectioned off the surrounding road.
Some resident halls were later evacuated as well.
Around 1 a.m. on Thursday, the all-clear was sent out and students were able to return to their dorms.
Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) Spokesperson Walter Ryce said in a press release to the Lutrinae, “Library staff issued a public announcement to initiate evacuation of the library and contacted the University Police Department which responded within minutes and took over evacuation procedures of the library and nearby buildings including residence halls.”
The Marina Police Department was on the scene shortly after the alert went out. Students began to be evacuated from nearby dorms in Area One, with Resident Advisors (RAs) knocking on doors and notifying residences through text alerts. Students were told to evacuate to the Otter Student Union.
“University Police Department officers conducted a search of the library with the assistance of the Marina Police Department, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department and MCSO Explosives K-9 team. The California Highway Patrol and the FBI lent support later,” Ryce said.
The Otter Student Union stayed open late to house students evacuated from the resident halls as the first hall, Asilomar, arrived at around 10:25 p.m. Later, it was joined by residents of Cypress and Willet halls around 11:30 p.m.
RAs messaged students, suggesting they get comfortable in the OSU as it could take a reported two to three hours for the evacuation to be lifted.
Around 1 a.m. on Thursday, the all-clear was sent out and students were able to return to their dorms.
“Law enforcement officials announced no explosive devices were found and the all-clear was issued for normal activity to resume and for students to return to their residence halls,” Ryce said.
On Thursday at 11 a.m., CSUMB sent out an update on the situation to students, and a list of support resources for students and those affected by the evacuation and threat.
According to Ryce, “Law enforcement officials will collaborate with the FBI to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the identity of the caller to seek prosecution of those responsible for the hoax.”