A package exploded on the campus of Northeastern University on Tuesday night, injuring an employee and spreading fear across Boston’s many college campuses, police said.
Authorities said they received a call shortly after 7:15 p.m. that a suspicious package had exploded at Holmes Hall, home to a writing center on the campus of a private university. A further search revealed his second package, which had been secured by the Boston Police Department Bomb Squad.
Boston Police Superintendent Felipe Colón said at a press conference late Tuesday that an employee, a 45-year-old man, was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries to his hand.
The police, their bomb squad, the Boston Fire Department, and the Boston Emergency Medical Service cooperated in an investigation at the university, which has approximately 15,700 students.
Colon said the motive was still under investigation, as was how the package was delivered to the building.
Jason Cromartie, a special agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston office, said the agency was providing “full support” to the agency.
Officer Andre Watson, a spokesman for the Boston Police Department, said Tuesday night that Holmes Hall was evacuated as a precaution.
Northeastern University Police Chief Michael Davis said officers responded to the area within a minute of the 911 call. “The campus is safe,” he stressed.
Earlier Tuesday, the university’s police department urged people to avoid the Holmes Hall area, saying classes were being held in at least six buildings. canceled due to night.
WCVB reporter Mike Bourdett was teaching a class during the explosion. His class was evacuated, but no one heard the explosion, the local TV station reported.
numerous universities in the region, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University When Boston Universitysent messages to students telling them to step up patrols and report anything suspicious to the police.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said at a press conference that she had just sent her two young children back to Boston public schools, stressing the importance of safety and well-being on campus.
“I take very seriously that this city is home to all young people,” she said.