Update: Murray County threat one of many in state

The Murray County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday issued a press release regarding a bomb threat being placed in the Murray County Government Center.

The press release noted that at 8:19 a.m. Tuesday, Murray County's information director notified the Murray County Sheriff about the threat. 

"The Murray County Sheriff's Office and Murray County Emergency Management immediately evacuated the Government Center and contacted Murray County Central Schools and advised the school of a possible threat," stated the press release. Murray County Central School was subsequently placed on a brief lockdown.

"Murray County Sheriff's Office and Slayton Police Department created a perimeter around the Government Center and began a search of the building," the press released explained. "A search of the building didn't reveal anything suspicious or suspected of being an explosive device."

Murray County Emergency Management contacted MCC School at about 9:42 a.m. Tuesday and advised them everything was all clear. Murray County reopened the Government Center at around 10:30 a.m. 

"The sheriff's office believes the email was part of an email hoax that occurred in multiple counties across the state of Minnesota and does not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public," the press release said.

The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State issued a release Tuesday night noting that it had "been notified that election offices in over half of the counties in Minnesota have received e-mailed bomb threats since Nov..8. These threats have been reported to the office by county, state and federal partners. Affected counties are responding in accordance with local policies and procedures.

Commented Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon: “Threats of violence against election workers, aimed at disrupting our democracy, are absolutely unacceptable. Although Election Day is over, election officials across the state are continuing their work to verify that the election was free, fair, accurate and secure. Over the next few weeks, counties will be canvassing the election, certifying election results, and conducting post-election reviews.

"Our office is coordinating with local, state and federal partners to respond and ensure that our election officials can complete this important work and that those responsible for these threats are held accountable.”