Last Updated on December 13, 2018 3:06 pm
UPDATE 4:02pm from Boone Police:
Boone Police, along with many area law enforcement and public service agencies, responded to multiple bomb threats Thursday afternoon. The following locations were responded to:
870 State Farm Road, Blue Ridge Medical Offices
2282 NC Highway 105, Ross Automotive
155 Furman Road, Executive Arts Building
All threats were received by the victims via e-mail. None of these threats were credible, and all were perpetrated in a similar fashion as is currently being reported nationwide.
The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious persons or devices.
Update 3:36pm – according to the website KrebsonSecurity, the bomb threat nationwide is related to an email threatening that someone has planted bombs within the recipient’s building that will be detonated unless a hefty bitcoin ransom is paid by the end of the business day.
According to the site the email reads:
My man carried a bomb (Hexogen) into the building where your company is located. It is constructed under my direction. It can be hidden anywhere because of its small size, it is not able to damage the supporting building structure, but in the case of its detonation you will get many victims.
My mercenary keeps the building under the control. If he notices any unusual behavior or emergency he will blow up the bomb.
I can withdraw my mercenary if you pay. You pay me 20.000 $ in Bitcoin and the bomb will not explode, but don’t try to cheat -I warrant you that I will withdraw my mercenary only after 3 confirmations in blockchain network.
Here is my Bitcoin address : 1GHKDgQX7hqTM7mMmiiUvgihGMHtvNJqTv
You have to solve problems with the transfer by the end of the workday. If you are late with the money explosive will explode.
This is just a business, if you don’t send me the money and the explosive device detonates, other commercial enterprises will transfer me more money, because this isnt a one-time action.
I wont visit this email. I check my Bitcoin wallet every 35 min and after seeing the money I will order my recruited person to get away.
If the explosive device explodes and the authorities notice this letter:
We are not terrorists and dont assume any responsibility for explosions in other buildings.
It is not known currently if this is how the emails received at the Boone businesses were worded.
UPDATE 3:15pm – Boone Police have re-open State Farm Road in all directions
3:00pm Thursday, Dec 13 – Boone Police Department, along with other local agencies, continue to investigate at least two bomb threats in the area of State Farm Road.
According to original dispatch at the time, Blue Ridge Ear Nose & Throat received an email saying a bomb was in the building and was asking for a ransom. Additionally, another building in the area received a similar email a source tells WataugaOnline.com.
As of 3pm no further information about the local threats was available.
Media outlets regionally and nationally are also reporting on similar threats. The Tomahawk newspaper in Mountain City, TN is reporting a threat was made to the Johnson County Counseling Center at around 1:50 PM.
Media outlets in Charlotte are reporting multiple unsubstantiated bomb threats in that city.
NBC News is reporting that, “Dozens of bomb threats being reported at news outlets, government buildings, banks, libraries, schools and other businesses across the US, various local media and police depts.”
Dozens of bomb threats being reported at news outlets, government buildings, banks, libraries, schools and other businesses across the US, various local media and police depts. report.
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 13, 2018
