The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office and Lancaster City Bureau of Police continue investigating the bomb threats last Saturday afternoon targeting the Lancaster Public Library, Lancaster Online | LNP, and individual members of LNP, the Lancaster Public Library, and Lancaster Pride.

The threats were sent via email around noon on March 23, 2024, and threatened detonation at 1:30 p.m.

Law enforcement worked quickly with the District Attorney’s Office after the threat Saturday to receive an emergency authorization from a Court of Common Pleas Judge to ascertain further information about the account that sent the email.

Results of that search led investigators to believe the contents of the threat originated from outside the United States.

The threats caused evacuations in the 100 blocks of N. Lime and N. Queen Streets. Once it was deemed safe, K-9s were deployed and no explosive devices were found.

Law enforcement agencies across all levels are working in collaboration and utilizing all resources to identify the suspect responsible for sending the emailed threats.

Assistance is also being provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. 

Prior to the emailed threats on the morning of Saturday, March 23, 2024, a pre-planned sweep of the Lancaster Public Library was taking place when two K-9s alerted their handlers to an unattended package. 

The package was addressed to a library staff member with a returned address to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The K-9 alerts prompted the response of the Pennsylvania State Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal. Additionally, there were some inconsistencies in the labeling that raised suspicion.

It was later learned the staff member was expecting a package from the USDA containing coloring books. The package did contain the items listed by the staff member. Based on all the facts surrounding the package, we are not concerned that the package was placed there with any criminal intention, as the origin, contents, and recipient at the library were all verified.

There are several factors that could have triggered the K-9s’ alert to the package. Some of these reasons include but are not limited to, being stored in proximity to items or incidental contact with substances during shipping, which contain the chemical compounds the K-9s are trained to detect and respond to.

The Pennsylvania State Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal is called when K-9s alert to a possible threat. 

More information will be provided when available. The investigation is ongoing and we are not able to answer any additional media inquiries at this time.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.