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Bomb threat prompts evac of State Speech Competition in Ankeny: Police say threat was not credible

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February 4th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A bomb threat interrupted a state speech competition Saturday in Ankeny. About 2,000 people inside Ankeny Centennial High School were evacuated Saturday afternoon so investigators could search and sweep the property after the threat. A woman from Cumberland posted on social media that she received a call from her son telling her about the incident

Sgt. Corey Schneden with Ankeny police told KCCI-TV that someone used the AirDrop feature on an iPhone to send out a photo, which included text on the image that suggested someone put a bomb in the school. Schneden said they’ve located the person who allegedly made the threat, which police are saying was not credible. No arrests have been made as of 10 p.m. Saturday.

Ankeny schools said anyone who left belongings in the school during the evacuation can retrieve them between 8-11 a.m. today (Sunday).

A press release from the district said spectators should use the main entrance on the east side of the building, busses and school vehicles should use door E45, which will be slightly to the north of the main entrance on the east side of the building.