Target in Utah evacuated after bomb threats reported at multiple area stores
LAYTON, Utah (KUTV) — A Target in Utah was evacuated after officials said they were informed of a bomb threat to multiple area locations.
An employee of the Panda Express located next to the Target in in Layton confirmed that multiple officers were at the scene with a K-9 team by 1 p.m. EDT on Friday.
They said all of the stores occupants -- staff and customers -- appeared to have been evacuated to the parking lot.
Sgt. John Ottesen with the Layton Police Department said bomb threats were made to Target stores in Layton, Salt Lake, Taylorsville and Provo.
Officers began the investigation after two new stations received emails alerting them about the threats. They said Target's Pride merchandise displays were referenced in the emails.
The threat was three sentences long and came from “bogus email address," according to Ottesen. He said prosecutors may seek subpoenas to find the source.
The event comes just days after Target was slammed on social media for its LGBTQ+ children's merchandise being sold in several stores, which has since been taken off shelves.
The Salt Lake City Police Department shared the following statement regarding the threat:
Officers have worked with the Target Corporation throughout the morning and have determined there is no credible threat to the Target stores in Salt Lake City. Officers will continue neighborhood patrols around the Target locations in Salt Lake City out of an abundance of caution. We encourage anyone who sees anything suspicious to immediately call 911."
KUTV has reached out to Target representatives for more details on the incident.
