Correction Appended
Federal officials received an uncorroborated terrorist threat
indicating an attack could occur today against shopping malls near
the Federal Building on Wilshire Boulevard, according to the
FBI.
As of late Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Joint Terrorism Task
Force was still trying to establish the veracity of the source of
the threat, said Matt McLaughlin, a spokesman for the FBI at the
Federal Building.
“The credibility of the source is unestablished and
uncorroborated,” McLaughlin said.
No specific mall was mentioned in the threat, but it said a
terrorist attack could be made against a mall near the Federal
Building in West Los Angeles. Major malls in the area include the
Beverly Center, Westside Pavilion and the Century City Shopping
Center.
The Los Angeles Police Department has stepped up patrols and
asked shopping malls to increase their security, according to a
statement.
McLaughlin said he was unsure when the FBI received the threat
but that it may have been around Wednesday afternoon.
No visible increase in security was seen around the Federal
Building, though a pair of police officers on motorcycles and a
police car were seen patrolling Westwood.
A news helicopter circled over Westwood late Wednesday night,
and news vans could be seen flanking the southwest corner of
Wilshire Boulevard and Veteran Avenue.
University police said they were unable to deliver a public
statement as of late Wednesday night.
McLaughlin said the threat was similar to vague terrorist
threats made against suspension bridges two years ago that led to
security increases near the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge
in San Francisco.
Correction: April 30, 2004.
Westfield Shopping Town Century City was referred to incorrectly
in “Area malls threatened”.
With reports from Ari Bloomekatz, Bruin reporter. The LAPD
has asked anyone who observes any suspicious activities to call
(877) 284-7328.