Police: Unattended bag led to bomb squad response at U of U Hospital
Nov 15, 2022, 5:38 PM | Updated: 10:46 pm
UPDATE: Salt Lake City Police Department confirmed that the bomb threat made towards the University of Utah Hospital did not pose any threat.
In a release Tuesday night, SLCPD said a backpack was found at the hospital inside the medical center at 50 N. Medical Drive in Salt Lake City. A bomb-sniffing dog “alerted” to the pack and that indicated it was a possible hazard. A police hazard device team was called to investigate.
We can confirm the item in question does not pose any threat and the hospital and our community is safe.
We expect a media briefing at 7 p.m. at the media staging location.
We appreciate the coordination with @UUtah, @UofUHealth and @slcfire. #slc #slcpd #saltlakecity pic.twitter.com/MF1D5l4Tu7
— Salt Lake City Police (@slcpd) November 16, 2022
After an investigation started at approximately 4:10 p.m., x-ray technology determined there was not a threat at approximately 6:45 p.m.
The original story follows below.
SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City Police responded to a possible bomb threat at the University of Utah hospital Tuesday afternoon.
According to the U of U Health Twitter, they are working with law enforcement and the Salt Lake Bomb squad on a potential bomb threat at approximately 3:12 p.m.
U of U campus alert website states that their Public Safety Department received a report of an abandoned backpack in the first-floor lobby.
“A bomb-sniffing dog alerted to potential explosives on the bag and Salt Lake City Police were called to respond,” according to the hospital.
“We are continuing to secure the impacted area, and we are prioritizing the safety of our team members and patients,” reads the U of U tweet. “100 South and Mario Capecchi to the front of the hospital is closed and the public is asked to avoid the area at this time.”
SLCPD tweeted that there is no threat to the public and operations at the U of U are not impacted.
Larry D. Curtis contributed to this story.