Utah State University briefly evacuated its historic Old Main building on Tuesday after a suspicious package was discovered just hours before a scheduled Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event featuring several high-profile Republican figures. The package was located outside the building around 2:44 p.m., prompting the university to issue an emergency alert and immediately evacuate students and staff.<\/p>\n
Police and bomb squad officers responded swiftly, detonating the device as a precaution. University spokesperson Amanda DeRito later confirmed the package was non-explosive. \u201cOut of an abundance of caution, the bomb squad detonated the suspicious device,\u201d she said. \u201cOld Main is now clear and safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
The incident came amid heightened tensions surrounding the TPUSA event, which featured Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Andy Biggs, and former Rep. Jason Chaffetz. The event proceeded as planned despite increased security concerns, following the recent assassination of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk during a campus appearance in Utah Valley.<\/p>\n
Students on campus described a mix of confusion and fear during the evacuation and following the detonation. While no injuries were reported, many said the experience was jarring, with some initially unsure of the seriousness of the threat until seeing the heavy police presence and hearing the explosion.<\/p>\n
Authorities have not yet determined whether the package was connected to the political event. Still, the incident highlighted growing concerns about safety and the potential for violence surrounding controversial campus gatherings, especially in a tense political climate.<\/p>\n