One person was hurt on the campus of Northeastern University when a package exploded, according to authorities.
When a staffer opened the gift that had been brought to the university, it exploded. Authorities discovered a second item that had been stowed away.
Northeastern university
Officials reported that a package that a member of the Northeastern University staff was unwrapping exploded on Tuesday, injuring him.
According to a spokesman for Northeastern University named Shannon Nargi, “The staff member suffered minor injuries and is receiving treatment.” The package was delivered to Holmes Hall, Nargi said.
During a news conference on Tuesday night, Boston Police Superintendent Felipe Colon said that the employee, a 45-year-old man, had hand injuries.
The inquiry is ongoing, and investigators haven’t revealed how the box got to the university.
Officials announced at the news conference that they were looking into a possible motivation.
Box included a note
According to several federal law enforcement sources, the box also included a rambling note critical of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and the collaboration between academic institutions and virtual reality developers.
The note was in a hard plastic container and detonated when the victim opened the latches and lifted the lid, the sources said.
Delivered to virtual reality center
The package was delivered to the university’s virtual reality center and was opened by someone who works in the center, the sources said.
While the employee who opened the package was not seriously hurt, the explosion caused lacerations to his hands and other injuries, the sources added.
Davis note on campus security
According to Colon, police were called to the site at roughly 7:18 p.m. Within a minute of the initial contact, a Northeastern University police officer arrived, according to Michael Davis, the department’s chief.
“It’s very important to note, our campus is secure,” Davis said.
Boston emergency service team
The building was evacuated while Boston Emergency Services and the bomb squad of the Boston Police Department investigated the area, according to Nargi.
Michelle Wu, the mayor of Boston, praised the response of the police to the incident.
During the news conference, Wu stated, “We want to make sure to underline that this is of the utmost priority, the safety and well-being of all our young people here.”
There is a cooperation between the FBI’s Boston Division and the Boston Police Department spokesperson Kristen Setera told officials.
According to Jason Cromartie, assistant special agent in charge, FBI Boston provided the Joint Terrorism Task Force with all of its resources, including its evidence response team and special agent bomb technicians, to aid in the investigation.
Police twitted
University police tweeted just before 10 p.m. that the “situation at Homes Hall is currently controlled.”
According to Northeastern’s website, Holmes Hall serves as the centre for all “Writing Center activities” at the university. Emergency services were responding to the event, and according to university police, the area was to be avoided.
When further information becomes available, we’ll educate the Northeastern community, according to Nargi.
