An Olney Charter High School graduation was briefly interrupted following a bomb scare which was tweeted via the Temple University Twitter account last Monday afternoon. However, investigators called to the scene have reported an "all clear" status the same day.
The latest update on the bomb scare at Temple U's Liacouras Center was noted during the event as students, faculty and visitors were promptly evacuated from the area, Metro US reported. The warning came as the graduation ceremony was coming to a close at that time.
University spokesman Brandon Lausch said that the bomb scare was reported to Philadelphia police around 3:30 pm, Monday afternoon. He added that the community was also alerted to exercise all caution, pending further update.
Update: Sweep of Liacouras Center continues. Nothing suspicious found so far.
— Temple University (@TempleUniv) June 13, 2016
Police dogs scoured the Liacouras Center premises for three hours until 6 p.m. Investigators then gave clearance of the threat a few minutes after, at 6:14 p.m.
TUalert: All Clear in the area of 1776 N Broad St (Liacouras Center). You may resume normal activity.
— Temple University (@TempleUniv) June 13, 2016
Charlie Leone, Campus Safety Services executive director, said that the search for explosives went smoothly since attendees waiting outside were not asked to go back inside as the ceremony was about to end, Temple News reported. Police dogs were also brought a few meters away from the vicinity to further sniff for evidence.
Some areas around Broad Street were restricted to bystanders and passersby to ensure everyone's cooperation. Officials from Temple University as well as police detail gathered within the Liacouras Center lobby while the search was made.
The Cecil B. Moore Avenue's subway entrance was also ordered closed the entire time; squad cars and an Allied Barton security group assisted police before the surrounding areas were re-opened a few minutes before 5 p.m. that day.
Located at the center of the known Philadelphia campus, the Liacouras Center is also a popular sporting and concert venue, as well as home to the Owl's basketball team (men's division).
