A bomb threat was called into Congregation B’Nai Israel synagogue in downtown Columbus Thursday morning, but no explosive device was found.
Congregation President Doug Bedsaul told The Dispatch a threatening message was left at the synagogue by phone and was discovered about 35 minutes later.
Bedsaul contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who contacted the Columbus Police Department at about 8:55 a.m., according to Columbus Police Department Assistant Chief Garland Ward.
CPD sealed off the area around the synagogue, which is next to the former First Baptist Church location on Second Avenue North, and alerted the businesses nearby.
Lowndes County Emergency Management Director Cindy Lawrence told The Dispatch no one was evacuated from the area.
A Homeland Security agent with a bomb dog arrived around 10:30 a.m. The synagogue was declared clear at about 11.
Bedsaul said other than the fact that the message specifically mentioned the synagogue, there was “no hint of anti-semitism” in the threat.
This was the first time the synagogue had received a threat, Bedsaul said. He declined to say how many people worshiped there but characterized the congregation as “small.”
Ward said the FBI will handle the investigation.
In an email to The Dispatch, the FBI confirmed it is investigating the case.
“The FBI is aware of the numerous hoax incidents wherein a bomb threat was made at a Mississippi synagogue,” wrote Public Affairs Officer Marshay Lawson. “The FBI takes hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk. While we have no information to indicate a specific and credible threat, we will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to gather, share, and act upon threat information as it comes to our attention. We urge the public to remain vigilant, and report any and all suspicious activity and/or individuals to law enforcement immediately.”
The threat was one of several made around the state Thursday, including to Tupelo Regional Airport, Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport, Biloxi-Gulfport International Airport and Stennis International Airport in Kiln. No explosives were found at any of those sites.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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