Northeastern University campus buildings were evacuated in Boston Tuesday evening after a package exploded and left a 45-year-old staff member with minor hand injuries, city officials told reporters blocks away from the scene.
Northeastern University police responded within one minute of a call that came in just after 7 p.m. alerting first responders to the package. Boston Police Department Superintendent Felipe Colon said police and medical personnel responded to Holmes Hall, an academic building at 39 Leon St, and people were pulled from the building.
The 45-year-old male was transported to a local hospital for treatment after the package exploded, Colon said. A search revealed a second similar package that was ultimately rendered safe by our bomb squad, he said.
I will tell you that the scene is secure and that the investigation is ongoing, Colon told reporters just before 10:30 p.m.
Boston Police Department spokesman John Boyle declined to delve into many of the details because federal agencies were involved in the investigation. He said the small explosion left no structural damage to the building.
It is unclear if the package was designed to explode or if the explosion occurred by accident.
A Boston police spokesperson said a suspicious package was called in from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, but units there had cleared it and said it was not connected to the incident at Northeastern University.
The FBI Bostons office was offering its full support, including resources from the Joint Terrorism Task Force, Evidence Response Team, and special agent bomb technicians, Assistant Special Agency in Charge Jason Cromartie said.
As youve heard already, the situation remains under investigation, he said.
Northeastern University Police Department Chief Michael Davis said its very important to note that our campus is secure, and we will maintain a secure campus in perpetuity.
Thats our work, and thats what we continue to do, he said.
Just before 11 p.m., police presence in the area had dwindled, and only a few officers remained on the scene to block off Leon Street.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said first responders were very swift, coordinated, and effective.
As a mom, I just sent my own two little babies back to school in our Boston Public Schools, she said. I take very seriously that this city is home to everyones young people, from our littlest learners up to our college students and university staff.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said he was monitoring the situation and ready to work with the university and our law enforcement partners on any prosecutions that may develop.
The quick and thorough response by Boston Police and other agencies is the start of a comprehensive investigation to determine exactly what occurred here, he said in a statement.
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