Last week, three students at George Mason University in Virginia were arrested after bomb making materials were found in their dorm room.
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The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is taking part in the investigation because a “small amount” of bomb-making material was found Wednesday inside a dorm room at the Virginia school, Capt. Brian Cozby, of George Mason University’s Department of Police and Public Safety, told FoxNews.com Tuesday.
Search warrants say police found a leafy green substance, match books, shaved match heads, a mortar and pestle, lighter fluid, hand sanitizer, candles and a PVC pipe.
The names of the students have yet to be released as investigators are still trying to figure out what they were up to. Two of the students were arrested on drug and alcohol charges while the third was arrested on possession of bomb making materials.
Authorities are also staying quiet on any indication whether or not other people are involved in case they catch wind of anything.
Student and parents have been very upset at the lack of information being given at the school about what is going on. From Fox News:
“As a Mason student (albeit not an undergrad or on the Fairfax campus) I find this disturbing and troubling to say the least,” one student wrote on Facebook. “I await further clarification on the bomb-making paraphenalia.”
“This is definitely something we should have been made aware of whether it was an actionable threat or not. Not even an email,” wrote another student.
One parent said she was thankful police caught the students, but was “very disappointed that the university did not inform students or parents about this.”
“We still have not receive[d] any communication from GMU as to reassure us that our children are safe,” she said.
The office of media relations declined to answer any questions about the investigation Tuesday. Melanie Baylog, the school’s managing editor of strategic communications, released a statement by Thomas Longo, Interim Chief of Police, that said “there is no threat to the campus community ” and “the investigation is ongoing.”
Attacks on college campuses have become much too frequent in past years, calling into mind the attacks at Virginia Tech and the University of California, however none have included bombs.
This also comes just a handful of days before the deadly ISIS bombings in Brussels. No doubt concern over the role of terrorism is playing heavily into the minds of everyone in the George Mason community.
What do you think is behind this? Sound off in the comments below!
