{
  "id": "2016-01-22-norwich-university-chalkboard-bomb-threat",
  "slug": "norwich-university-chalkboard-bomb-threat-2016-01-22",
  "institution": {
    "name": "Norwich University",
    "shortName": "Norwich",
    "state": "VT",
    "type": "military",
    "alertSystemName": "Norwich RAVE Alert",
    "enrollment": 2400
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2016-01-22",
    "type": "bomb-threat",
    "cleryCategory": "emergency-notification",
    "headline": "Chalkboard bomb threat reading 'I have the detonator' determined a hoax after sweep",
    "headlinePublic": "Chalkboard bomb threat reading 'I have the detonator' determined a hoax after sweep",
    "summary": "Before dawn on January 22, 2016, custodial staff at Norwich University found a bomb threat scrawled across classroom chalkboards in the U Building math and science complex, reading [\"I have the detonator...and you will never find me T - 16hrs ;)\"](http://thenorwichguidon.org/2016/02/rare-bomb-threat-leads-to-campus-lockdown-searches-investigation-continues/). Norwich pushed a RAVE emergency notification to all faculty and students, activated its Incident Command Team, and brought in Northfield police and Vermont State Police. After a sweep, officials posted [all-clear notices at the building entrances around 5 a.m.](https://www.facebook.com/NorwichUniversity/posts/bomb-threat-all-clear-update-a-sweep-of-the-u-building-complex-has-been-complete/10153496503378883/), concluding the threat was a hoax.",
    "outcome": "No explosive device was found. Security and Northfield Police concluded the chalkboard threat was a hoax after a building sweep, and the U Building complex was cleared and reopened. Norwich's Incident Command Team coordinated the response.",
    "resolution": "unfounded"
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestampApprox": "Pre-dawn, shortly after the approximately 3:00 AM EST discovery on January 22, 2016",
      "channel": "sms",
      "verbatimText": "",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": false,
      "sourceDescription": "Reconstructed from The Norwich Guidon account of the RAVE notification sent to all faculty and students",
      "annotations": []
    },
    {
      "sequence": 2,
      "type": "all-clear",
      "timestampApprox": "Approximately 5:00 AM EST on January 22, 2016, after the building sweep",
      "channel": "facebook",
      "verbatimText": "Bomb Threat All Clear Update: A sweep of the U Building complex has been completed.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.facebook.com/NorwichUniversity/posts/bomb-threat-all-clear-update-a-sweep-of-the-u-building-complex-has-been-complete/10153496503378883/",
      "sourceDescription": "Norwich University official Facebook all-clear post",
      "annotations": [
        "The opening line of Norwich's official all-clear update is quoted verbatim from the university's Facebook post announcing the completed sweep of the U Building complex.",
        "The Norwich Guidon reported that around 5 a.m. EST, notices were posted at the building entrances stating it had been searched and that security and Northfield Police believed the threat was a hoax.",
        "This is a genuine all-clear: it confirms the sweep is complete and underpins the reopening of the U Building complex."
      ],
      "characterCount": 83
    }
  ],
  "context": "Norwich University, founded in 1819 in Northfield, Vermont, is the oldest private military college in the United States and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps tradition. In the early morning of January 22, 2016, custodial staff discovered a bomb threat written across two classroom chalkboards in the U Building (the campus math and science complex that includes Juckett, Partridge, Bartoletto, and Tompkins halls and the Cabot Science Center) reading [\"I have the detonator...and you will never find me T - 16hrs ;)\"](http://thenorwichguidon.org/2016/02/rare-bomb-threat-leads-to-campus-lockdown-searches-investigation-continues/). The security office received the custodial call around 3 a.m. EST and issued a RAVE emergency notification to all students and faculty. Emergency Management Director Dave Magida activated the Norwich Incident Command Team, and Vermont State Police dispatched a Northfield police officer to the scene. After a sweep, officials posted [all-clear notices at the building entrances around 5 a.m. EST](https://www.facebook.com/NorwichUniversity/posts/bomb-threat-all-clear-update-a-sweep-of-the-u-building-complex-has-been-complete/10153496503378883/) and concluded the threat was a hoax. The Guidon described it as a rare event for the disciplined military campus. The same U Building complex would be targeted again by a separate bomb threat in October 2018, making it a recurring focal point for Norwich's emergency response.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "A handwritten chalkboard threat ('I have the detonator...and you will never find me T - 16hrs ;)') triggered a pre-dawn RAVE notification and building sweep",
    "Norwich activated its Incident Command Team and coordinated with Northfield police and Vermont State Police",
    "Officials posted a verbatim all-clear at the building entrances around 5 a.m. EST after concluding the threat was a hoax",
    "The U Building math/science complex was the focal point, the same complex targeted again by a separate 2018 bomb threat"
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Rare bomb threat leads to campus lockdown, searches; investigation continues - The Norwich Guidon",
      "url": "http://thenorwichguidon.org/2016/02/rare-bomb-threat-leads-to-campus-lockdown-searches-investigation-continues/",
      "type": "student-newspaper"
    },
    {
      "title": "Bomb Threat All Clear Update - Norwich University Facebook",
      "url": "https://www.facebook.com/NorwichUniversity/posts/bomb-threat-all-clear-update-a-sweep-of-the-u-building-complex-has-been-complete/10153496503378883/",
      "type": "official-social"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "medium",
  "tags": [
    "bomb-threat",
    "vermont",
    "norwich-university",
    "military-college",
    "hoax",
    "emergency-notification"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-05-28",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-16",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}