UPDATE: The University of Minnesota Police Department responded to a “suspicious person” in Coffman Union and then became aware of the threat. Officers detained the person and cleared the area until UMPD determined it was safe to reenter the building.

The University of Minnesota confirmed through a SAFE-U notification there was a bomb threat at Coffman Union on Wednesday around 5 p.m. The building was evacuated while University police taped off entrances and helicopters flew overhead.

A crowd of students and staff waited outside of the building for updates. At one point, an officer with a K-9 inspected area. Washington Avenue’s Caribou Coffee also closed early but appeared to be the only business doing so.

As of 7 p.m. the University issued the all-clear and opened Coffman Union and the surrounding areas. There have not been any updates as to who sent in the threat or motive. 

Earlier in the day there were reports around the state of “swatting,” or prank calls to attract police to an area, at more than a dozen school districts. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension confirmed 14 cases of swatting as of Wednesday afternoon.  

This is a breaking news report and will be updated as more details emerge.