Bomb threat empties Shaw’s, deemed a hoax

March 27, 2025 | By Lisa Scagliotti

Shoppers and workers at Waterbury’s Shaw’s supermarket got an unexpected interruption Wednesday afternoon when the store was evacuated and multiple Vermont State Police troopers arrived to investigate a bomb threat, according to police.

“At about 3:20 p.m. today, the Shaw’s in Waterbury received a call from an out-of-state number with the caller demanding money and threatening to detonate a bomb,” state police spokesman Adam Silverman said in an email. 

Store staff called police and evacuated the store. Multiple troopers responded and found nothing suspicious, Silverman said. The store reopened at about 4 p.m. 

The incident was one of at least five such threats to Shaw’s stores in New England on Wednesday being investigated by multiple law enforcement departments. 

According to a report by Boston.com, a Shaw’s store in Canton, Massachusetts, experienced a similar threat as did three Shaw’s locations in New Hampshire – in Hooksett, North Hampton and Gilford.

“To my knowledge, this is the only Vermont location targeted at this point,” Silverman said Wednesday evening. 

Shaw’s did not comment on the specific incidents, nor would the company confirm how many had occurred. Corporate spokeswoman Teresa Edington shared a brief statement with Waterbury Roundabout on Wednesday night: “At Shaw’s and Star Market, the safety of our customers and associates is our top priority, and we are in close contact with local authorities. At this time, all store locations are open and serving customers. Please reach out to the local police or fire department for further information.”