'Alarming' Inquiry Prompts Evacuation of UMD's McKeldin Library

Update, 11:01 p.m.:

Major Marc Limansky of the University of Maryland Police Department released the following statement Wednesday evening on the evacuation of McKeldin Library:

Today, at approximately 3:00 p.m., UMPD received a report of an individual who approached a McKeldin Library staff member inside the library and made an inquiry which warranted further investigation. Although there was no direct verbal threat made toward the library, the inquiry contained alarming language and was outside of the norm. Out of an abundance of caution, UMPD activated the fire alarm and evacuated the building. Officers were stationed around the perimeter of the building to prevent anyone from entering. Explosive detection K9 teams from UMPD and Metro Transit Police responded to perform a sweep of the building to ensure no danger was present. The teams found nothing of concern and the building was reopened at 8:00 p.m.

It was necessary to activate the local fire alarm system to alert the building occupants to evacuate; however no UMD alert was issued for this incident since there was no verified threat to the community. Had we come across a credible threat to the safety of the community, a UMD alert would have been issued. UMPD posted information about the incident over social media to keep the community informed.

We understand how inconvenient this may have been, however we felt it necessary to ensure the building was safe for everyone. UMPD will continue to investigate this incident. If you have any information which you feel may be helpful, please call 301-405-3555.

Original article:

The University of Maryland's McKeldin Library was evacuated Wednesday afternoon "due to a non-specific statement made by an individual in the library," according to UMD police.

"We are responding to information of a suspicious nature," the UMPD tweeted at 5:30 p.m. "No evidence of explosive material at this time."

Students and staff have not yet been let back into McKeldin. The building may be closed for two hours as investigators conduct their work, according to The Diamondback.

Meanwhile, the Prince George's County Fire Department is investigating "an activated alarm system with no fire found" at the same location, according to spokesman Mark Brady.

The facility, located at the west end of McKeldin Mall, is the university's main library.