Layton, Utah (KUTV) – A target in Layton was evacuated after officials said they reported a bomb threat at multiple locations in Utah.
An employee of the Panda Express located next door to Target at 815 West 2000 North confirmed that several officers were on site with the K-9 team by 1 p.m. Friday.
They said all store occupants—employees and customers—apparently evacuated to the parking lot.
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Sgt. John Ottesen of Layton Police said bomb threats were made at Target stores in Layton, Salt Lake City, Taylorsville and Provo.
Officers began investigating after two new local stations received emails alerting them about the threats.
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They said Target’s Pride merchandise deals were referenced in the emails.
The threat was three sentences long and came from a “fake email address,” according to Sergeant Ottesen.
He said prosecutors may request subpoenas to find the source.
The event comes just days after Target was criticized on social media for selling LGBTQ+ baby items in many stores, which have since been removed from shelves.
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KUTV has reached out to Target representatives for more details on this incident.
The Salt Lake City Police Department shared the following statement regarding the threat:
“Officers have been working with Target Corporation throughout the morning and have determined that there is no credible threat to Target stores in Salt Lake City. Officers will continue neighborhood patrols around target locations in Salt Lake City out of an abundance of caution. We encourage anyone who sees anything suspicious to contact immediately with the number 911″.
Equality Utah 2News provided the following statement:
“Efforts to threaten, bully, or intimidate gay Americans and our allies will never prevail. We will never again be bullied into the closet. In a pluralistic society, we must find nonviolent means to settle our political differences. We call on Americans of all walks of life to speak out against extremism and violence. We can and must live together in peace.”
The Utah Pride Center also shared a statement:
“The Utah Pride Center condemns all acts of violence, and our hearts go out to the staff and pioneers at Layton’s Target today.
“Part of our organization’s mission is to celebrate and empower the LGBTQ+ community. We strive to build not only a community without attacks on free speech, but also a community that celebrates the freedom to be our true, full selves. Pride merchandise is a great way for our community and allies to express their identity and celebrate freedom from persecution.
“We are fortunate to live in a society where everyone is free to wear the clothes they like most, and we will not let terrorist threats stop that. We urge everyone in our state and in our country to find kindness and support in their hearts for both themselves and others, as well as to challenge the prejudices that surround and shape our views either collectively or individually.