Report: Tucson Jewish Community Center receives second round of threats

PHOENIX — A Jewish Community Center in Tucson reportedly received a second round of threats on Friday, forcing leaders to urge people to stay away from the area.

Police confirmed to Tucson News Now that the threat — much like the one received last month — was a bomb threat. However, the latest threat was sent via email, whereas the first was a vague phone call.

A bomb squad was called to the center near Alvernon Way and Dodge Boulevard.

It is unknown how many people were inside the center when the treat was received. Those who were inside were told to shelter in place until police could clear the situation.

The first round of threats were received on Feb. 28, when at least 13 other Jewish community centers nationwide also received threatening messages.

Earlier this week, eight more Jewish centers received threats. Two of those in upstate New York made the decision to close for the day after receiving the threats, while another in a Milwaukee suburb shut down for several hours.

On the same day the threats were made, the entire U.S. Senate sent a letter urged the Trump administration to take more aggressive steps to counter the growing number of anonymous bomb threats against Jewish organizations and institutions across the country.

The senators said these “cowardly acts aim to create an atmosphere of fear.” They say at least 98 incidents against community centers and schools in 33 states have been reported in the first two months of 2017 alone.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said this week he shared President Donald Trump’s hope that the threats subside.

“We denounce these latest anti-Semitic and hateful threats in the strongest terms. It is incredibly saddening that I have to continue to share these disturbing reports with you,” he said. “As long as they do continue, we will continue to condemn them and look at ways in which we can stop them.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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