COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office is providing new details after a bomb threat caused a school to operate on a two-hour delay.

According to Columbus County Schools (CCS), a bomb threat was made against West Columbus School on Tuesday, March 3.

The sheriff’s office said authorities were notified by the FBI of an anonymous online tip alleging a bomb threat at the school.

“The tip indicated a threat scheduled for later that morning but contained limited specific information,” a spokesperson with the sheriff’s office told WECT.

According to the spokesperson, deputies arrived on campus early in the morning to search the building. They were assisted by the Brunswick County and New Hanover County Sheriff’s Offices, which sent K9 units trained in explosive detection to thoroughly examine the campus.

The campus was closed to all traffic and buses were not running for West Columbus School while law enforcement did their search.

“West Columbus School has been thoroughly checked by law enforcement, including the use of bomb-sniffing dogs, and has been declared safe,” CCS said on Facebook.

CCS said classes at West Columbus School would begin at 10 a.m. due to the threat. The district added that the situation only impacted West Columbus School and its buses.

“The safety of students and staff remains our top priority. The incident remains under review in coordination with federal authorities,” the sheriff’s office said.

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