Campus Alert Archive
Monmouth

Email Claims Bombs and Armed Person on Monmouth Campus, Triggering 7.5-Hour Lockdown

NJbomb threatemergency notificationhigh confidence
Confirmed HoaxDetermined to be a hoax. The institutional response is documented because it reveals how the alert system performed under a perceived real threat.

In the early morning hours of July 23, 2024, MUPD received reports of an email alleging a bomb threat and claiming the sender was armed and hiding on campus. A lockdown was issued at 1:32 AM EDT. Multiple law enforcement agencies swept the campus and found no evidence of any threat. The all-clear was issued at 9:05 AM, with offices opening at 10:00 AM.

Alerts
2
Response
—
Killed
—
Injured
—
Institution
Monmouth University
Private Masters · NJ
~6,200 students
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence · 2 verified verbatim

INITIAL ALERTmulti-channel
Verified verbatimNBC New York, quoting Monmouth University lockdown alert at 1:32 AM155 chars
There is an emergency at Monmouth University. A lockdown is in effect. This is not a drill. Please close and lock all doors and await further instructions.
Sent at 1:32 AM EDT on July 23, 2024, after MUPD received reports of the threatening email
The 'This is not a drill' language is a critical component that distinguishes real alerts from tests
The email claimed the sender had planted bombs and was armed and hiding on campus
ALL CLEARmulti-channel+7h 33m
Verified verbatimMonmouth University official all-clear alert at 9:05 AM EDT on July 23, 2024, reproduced verbatim across multiple outlets including NJBIZ and CBS New York referencing the university's official communications119 chars
All clear. Our investigation has been concluded and there is no threat to campus. The shelter-in-place has been lifted.
Verbatim all-clear alert text confirmed via multiple sources quoting the official Monmouth communication at 9:05 AM EDT on July 23, 2024; source URL is the official Monmouth University President's update page
Offices were given a delayed opening of 10:00 AM to allow the transition from lockdown to normal operations — this detail was included in the president's narrative message, not the alert itself
The 7.5-hour lockdown for a hoax email reflects the thoroughness required when both bombs and an armed person are claimed
Context

Background

In the early morning hours of July 23, 2024, Monmouth University received an email threatening both bombs and an armed person on campus. MUPD issued a lockdown at 1:32 AM EDT with the message 'This is not a drill'. ABC7 New York reported that multiple law enforcement agencies conducted a campus-wide sweep beginning around 3:15 AM. Newsweek covered the incident nationally. NJ 101.5 and Daily Voice Middletown provided local coverage. No evidence of any threat was found, and the all-clear was issued at 9:05 AM — a 7.5-hour lockdown. The Monmouth University President issued an official update acknowledging the disruption and thanking law enforcement.
Analysis

Key Findings

The verbatim lockdown alert ('This is not a drill') is preserved from NBC New York's reporting — a critical phrase in emergency communications
The 7.5-hour lockdown for a dual bomb-and-shooter threat reflects the extensive search required when both explosive devices and an armed person are claimed
The summer timing meant fewer students were on campus, but employees and summer program participants were affected
Outcome
No evidence of a threat was found after a thorough campus sweep. The all-clear was issued at 9:05 AM EDT. Offices opened at a delayed time of 10:00 AM.
Provenance

Sources

  1. Official
    President's Update on Campus Lockdown (Monmouth University)
    monmouth.edu
  2. News
    Monmouth University lockdown emergency (NBC New York)
    nbcnewyork.com
  3. News
    Emergency police at Monmouth University (ABC7 New York)
    abc7ny.com
  4. national media
    Monmouth University lockdown NJ (Newsweek)
    newsweek.com
  5. News
    Threat alert at Monmouth University (NJ 101.5)
    nj1015.com
Tags
bomb-threatarmed-personlockdownnew-jerseyprivate-university7-hour-lockdownthis-is-not-a-drillhoax-emailHoax
Added April 2026Updated April 2026Via ingestion