Suspect in bomb threat on SLO bus is released from custody

The suspect in the alleged bomb threat incident that shut down SLO Transit service across San Luis Obispo on Wednesday was released after questioning, police said.

No one was hurt, and no bomb was found in the incident in which the suspect handed out fliers to bewildered bus passengers about “witches,” “green monsters” and “the man in the high castle.”

Capt. Chris Staley said that Marcus Henry Karr, 33, who was detained for questioning Wednesday afternoon, was released later in the day without being booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail on suspicion of committing a crime. Staley declined to provide further details about his release.

Staley said the department’s investigation has been forwarded to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office for review; it will decide whether criminal charges will be filed.

Meanwhile, Cal Poly spokesman Matt Lazier said that Karr, a computer sciences student at the university, has been placed on temporary suspension while judicial proceedings move forward. A stay-away order has also been issued, barring him from entering campus, Lazier said.

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 5:33 PM with the headline "Suspect in bomb threat on SLO bus is released from custody."