Lexington Universal Academy evacuated after bomb threat; police divert traffic on Nicholasville Road

UPDATE: 11:50 a.m.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Lexington Police say the Lexington Universal Academy was evacuated Friday morning after a bomb threat was reported on campus.

According to an update from the police department, officers were sent to the school on Nicholasville Road around 9:45 a.m. As a precaution, all students and staff were evacuated, and families are being directed by traffic officers to a designated reunification location.

Inbound Nicholasville Road has been reduced to one lane, and police are urging drivers to avoid the area and use alternate routes. A heavier police presence is expected while officers continue investigating.

This comes after police first reported an “active situation” in the 4500 block of Nicholasville Road earlier in the morning, with the right inbound lane initially shut down.

According to the school’s website, LUA “is a private school and the only full-time Islamic school in Lexington with Pre-K through 8th grade.”

Officers remain on scene and will release additional information as it becomes available.

ORIGINAL STORY:

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Lexington Police are urging drivers to use caution this afternoon as officers respond to an active situation on Nicholasville Road.

According to police, units are currently on scene in the 4500 block of Nicholasville Road. The right inbound lane has been temporarily shut down, and drivers in the area should expect delays and a heavier police presence.

ABC 36 News Now confirmed through the Lexington Fire Department units were called to the location because of a bomb threat.

Our crew on the scene saw a building at that location being evacuated.

No additional details have been released about the nature of the incident. Police say they will provide updates as more information becomes available.