A building at Utah State University in Logan was evacuated on Tuesday afternoon (local time) after a suspicious package was reported, just hours before a Turning Point USA event was scheduled on campus. Police declared the situation “clear and safe” less than an hour later.
At 2:44 pm (local time), students and staff received an alert instructing them to evacuate the Old Main administration 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,” the message read, as per The Salt Lake Tribune.
Emergency crews responded quickly. Witnesses saw officers in protective gear, and a small detonation was heard minutes later after an officer shouted “Fire in the hole.”
University spokesperson Amanda DeRito confirmed to local media that police detonated the package “out of an abundance of caution.”
FIRST EVENT SINCE KIRK’S MURDER
The incident unfolded the same day Turning Point USA was holding its first Utah event since its founder, Charlie Kirk, was fatally shot earlier this month at Utah Valley University.
Kirk had originally been set to appear at Utah University as part of his national college tour. Following his assassination on September 10, TPUSA confirmed the tour would continue in his honour. Utah Governor Spencer Cox and US Senator Mike Lee, Utah, were announced as guest speakers.
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