UNION TWP, Lawrence County — Butler County Community College’s Lawrence Crossing facility was evacuated Tuesday afternoon after officials discovered threats of violence.

Susan Changnon, a college spokesman, said that a student warned staff members about written threats on a stall in a men’s bathroom about 11:30 a.m.

There were two threats, one that said there was a bomb in the school and one that said there would be a shooting on May 6.

“We had to spring into action,” Changnon said.

College officials began investigating and contacted police while senior staff members evacuated people from the building. Changnon said that there were about 150 people in the building at the time.

Police arrived at about 1:30 p.m. while the evacuation was in progress.

“We had a really good response,” Changnon said.

Police from Union Township, New Castle and Mahoning Township responded, along with state police and Mercer County K9 units. Changnon said an FBI agent also was assigned to the case, and he will step in if needed.

Police searched the building, and said nothing was found at about 3:30 p.m. College officials decided not to open the building for evening classes.

The building opened for classes this morning, and Changnon said the threats will be painted over.

Changnon said that BC3 police and Union Township police will have an increased presence around the campus through the last day of final exams, May 12. She said there will be particularly heightened security on May 6, which she also noted is the first day of final exams.

Even if threats like these are intended to be jokes or otherwise, Changnon said they have to be taken seriously.

“We’ve got to look into it,” she said.

A police investigation is continuing. Anyone with information may contact Union Township police at 724-652-5203.