Several Target stores were evacuated after multiple locations across America received bomb threats from radical leftist groups.
Staff and customers at several Target locations were evacuated as controversy continues to grow over the company’s LGBTQ+ merchandise.
In Cleveland, Ohio, local CBS News affiliate WOIO received an email at 12:26 pm Friday.
The email, which was published by the outlet, warned of bombs that had been placed in five different Target locations near the city.
According to a screenshot of the email, the threat was made in response to Target’s decision to remove its satanic-themed LGBTQ+ pride collection from its shelves last week.
“Target is full of…cowards who turned their back on the LGBT community and decided to cater to the homophobic right-wing redneck bigots who protested and vandalized their store,” read the email.
“We won’t stand idly by as the far right continues to hunt us down.”
WOIO’s staff reported the threat to local police departments as well as the Cleveland FBI.
Police said they also received threats via WEWS, an ABC News affiliate based in Cleveland.
According to a release from the Jackson Township Police Department, police dispatch received calls around 12:40 pm from both WOIO and WEWS regarding a potential bomb threat at a Target in their county.
Jackson Township officers evacuated and searched the store along with a bomb-sniffing dog from the Stark Country Sheriff’s office, read the release.
According to a report from The Repository in Canton, Ohio, no bombs were found at the location and investigators determined the threat was a hoax.
Store operations resumed around 3:15 p.m.
WOIO reported that threats were also made at four other Target locations in Boardman, Ohio, Niles, Ohio, and Monaca, Pennsylvania.
Separate threats were made to several Target locations in Utah as well, reported CBS News affiliate KUTV, including stores in Layton, Salt Lake, Taylorsville, and Provo.
According to Layton Police Sergeant John Ottesen, who was cited in KUTV’s report, officers began investigations after two local news stations received emails alerting them about the bomb threats.
Ottesen said that the threatening email, which was three sentences long, referenced Target’s pride collection and was reportedly sent from a “bogus email address.”
“The safety of our team members and guests is our top priority,” a Target spokesperson told Newsweek on Friday when asked about the recent bomb threats.
“Law enforcement investigated these claims and determined our stores are safe.
“Our stores are currently open and operating regular hours.”
