The bomb threat at Concordia University’s downtown campus, which forced the evacuation of three buildings Wednesday, is now being investigated by Montreal police’s Major Crimes Unit.
“Nothing was found inside the three buildings,” said Benoit Boisselle, a spokesperson with Montreal police.
“The file has been transferred to Major Crimes to make sure that we find the one or more people that are responsible.”
Wednesday morning, several media outlets, including Global News, received an e-mail threatening to “detonate once per day, a small artisanal amateur explosive devices.”
READ MORE: Concordia bomb threat: Who is the group purportedly behind the threat?
The targets were on two floors of the Hall building at 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. Ouest and one floor of the EV building, located at 1515 Sainte-Catherine St., “where Muslims hang out.”
The e-mail goes on to say that the bombs are “not meant to kill anybody. The only aim is to injure some Muslim students” and that “things have changed” now that Donald Trump is in office in the U.S.
The letter demands that the university stop “religious activities of all kinds on campus.”
“I am shocked and surprised. We are an open university and we have students from 150 different countries and many faith communities,” said Alan Shepard, president and vice-chancellor of Concordia.
“Everybody’s welcome and we have a great institution and it’s a shame to see this kind of a threat against any of our groups of students.”
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WATCH BELOW: Students, staff react to potential bomb threat
The two buildings, as well as the GM building at 1550 de Maisonneuve Blvd. Ouest, have been evacuated and classes are cancelled until 6 p.m.
“Concordia is a very safe place,” said Shepard.
“We have a harmonious relationship between the many different groups that have gathered to study here and we intend to continue that.”
Loyola campus remains open and all activities are expected to continue as scheduled.
“Concordia is cooperating with police who are now on-site investigating a potential threat in these buildings,” a statement on the school’s website reads.
“If you are in these buildings, you are asked to leave immediately. This applies to all faculty, staff and students, as well as members of the public.”
The university advised people to avoid the area until further notice.
rachel.lau@globalnews.ca
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