Niles elementary students evacuated due to bomb threat

NILES, Mich. -- Students at Ballard Elementary School in Niles were evacuated to Niles High School this morning due to a reported bomb threat to the school. 

"Earlier today, the Michigan State Police and Niles Police Department notified the district of an anonymous bomb threat that was made at Ballard Elementary," Niles Community Schools said in a statement. "Immediately, we evacuated students to Niles High School so that the police could conduct their investigation. All students are safe and accounted for, and the building and grounds have been cleared after a thorough search. The district is no longer on lockdown. We will continue to work closely with local law enforcement to address this matter. We want our students, families and staff to know that we take these matters very seriously and will take additional precautions in the days ahead.”

Niles Mayor Nick Shelton said the FBI was assisting with the investigation. 

"Berrien County and Spectrum Hospitals’ bomb dogs have cleared the building," Shelton said. "They will also do a grounds search once the dogs are rested. They are going to remove the lock down. FBI is assisting with an investigation of the incident."