An evacuation was ordered at Utah State University after a suspicious package was reported just ahead of a scheduled event for Turning Point USA.
Witnesses watched as police officers detonated the package and state police later said the university was cleared of any threat.
‘Out of an abundance of caution, the bomb squad detonated the suspicious device.’
Video on social media from journalism professor and reporter Erin Cox showed students being evacuated from the Old Main building of the university. She added that police were bringing K-9 crews into the building as well.
An alert was sent to students telling them to evacuate the building.
An evacuation has been ordered for the Old Main building on Logan campus. Leave immediately using the nearest exit. Use stairs, not elevators. Take only essential items. Go to your department’s evacuation area if applicable. Follow instructions from emergency personnel. Updates will follow.
After hearing officers yelling, “Fire in the hole,” an explosion was heard from inside the building.
“A suspicious device was found near the exterior of Old Main. University and Local law enforcement were dispatched to the scene. A device was located and deemed to be a non-explosive device,” reads a statement from the Utah State police.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the bomb squad detonated the suspicious device,” they added. “Old Main building is now clear and safe. All scheduled events may resume as normal.”
Cox noted that Charlie Kirk, the founder of TPUSA, had been scheduled to speak at the event before he was assassinated. There had been plans for day events preceding the evening event, but those were canceled.
Prior to Kirk being killed, some students organized a petition to prevent him from speaking at Utah State University, and they garnered all of 34 signatures. After his death, some students organized a petition to prevent TPUSA from its presentation at the university. That endeavor garnered all of 31 signatures.
Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10 while debating students on his national campus tour at Utah Valley University.
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