TERRE HAUTE, IND. — Public schools near the prison where Timothy McVeigh is to be put to death will close on the day of his execution because of security and transportation concerns.
Thousands of people including reporters and protesters are expected to swarm the city for the Oklahoma City bomber's execution May 16 at the federal prison near Terre Haute.
Officials said no schools had been threatened. The closing affects 16,000 students.
"It's the unknown that concerns us," said Ray Azar, who is in charge of school safety. With the crowds, police will be taxed to the limit, he said, and "We felt if we were to have problems that day, it might be difficult to get a response."
McVeigh, 32, was sentenced to death for the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, which killed 168 people and injured more than 500. Earlier this year, he waived all court appeals in his case.
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