Report of suspicious item forces evacuation of Murphy Deming complex

FISHERSVILLE — A report of a suspicious backpack with exposed wires caused an evacuation Tuesday afternoon at Mary Baldwin University's Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences in Fishersville, the Augusta County Sheriff's Office reported.

No such device was found, but authorities said there were at least three other similar reports across the state.

The sheriff's office said it received a 911 call from a man shortly before noon, and said the caller reported he'd discovered a backpack in a classroom with exposed wiring, a press release said.

Authorities evacuated the building as deputies from the sheriff's office responded to the scene, as did Virginia State Police, Woodrow Wilson Police, and the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office.

"At this time, the Sheriff’s Office does not believe there was ever an active threat at the Murphy Deming Health Sciences Building or at the campus," the release said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact Lt. Cason with the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office at (540) 245-5333 or Crime Stoppers (800) 322-2017.

Staunton Pride: Shining moments from the community in recent history

Brands Flat shooter gets 12-year prison term after man shot two times during robbery

Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.