Social media threat closes NC Museum of Art in Raleigh, museum says

The North Carolina Museum of Art on Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh was closed Sunday due to a social media threat, the museum told WRAL News.

"Due to a threat received via social media, the North Carolina Museum of Art was closed to the public yesterday and today for an ongoing criminal investigation," a spokesperson for the museum told WRAL News.

Authorities said the museum and surrounding park were evacuated so law enforcement could search the area. Investigators determined there was no immediate threat, but authorities said the museum remains closed out of an abundance of caution.

Many people hoping to spend their Sunday at the museum were surprised when they showed up to a closed sign outside.

"I was hoping to see some artwork, maybe go into the gallery and see a couple of paintings," Bryan Holguin said. "I thought it was some holiday, I wasn't aware of something."

Several people turning up for a variety of reasons became confused, shocked and disappointed upon learning why the museum was closed.

"It makes me feel really bad, because museums are always just a place to be happy and experience art." Holguin said.

The art museum, which is normally closed on Monday and Tuesday, will remain closed until Wednesday, according to the museum's website.

State Capitol Police and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) are investigating the threat, authorities said.