Emhoff was taken out by Secret Service at 2:08 p.m. Emhoff’s staff informed reporters that Emhoff had reported a threat against the U.S. Secret Service. At 2:34 p.m., an announcement was heard over the intercom asking teachers to evacuate the school. Reporters also left the scene. According to the second gentleman’s office, he was evacuated from the building due to the threat. D.C. police were called to the scene and responded.
The field was populated by fourth-period students.
Enrique Gutierrez, D.C. Public Schools’ press secretary, confirmed that there was a bomb threat but that everyone was safe.
“We were threatened today by the facility, so we evacuated everyone. Everyone is safe, I believe. The building is safe. Gutierrez said that he did not have specific details right now.
Police and the U.S. Secret Service are currently investigating.
Nadine Smith, Dunbar principal, told reporters that the school district instructed the high school to send its students home once the building had been cleared.
Emhoff visited Dunbar High School’s Museum of Dunbar History to celebrate Black History Month. This school was America’s first public high-school specifically designed for Black students.
Reporters were not provided with any additional information by the Secret Service. Kamala Harris, Vice President of the Secret Service, was not present at the event.
Harris was the victim of a bomb scare last year. Harris was evacuated from the Democratic National Committee headquarters when a pipe bomb became apparent.
