Authorities are probing the device and its contents, which were not deemed to be dangerously explosive. It is too early to say if the latest incident has any connection with the September 23 bomb hoax in the HSU Library parking lot. No specific threats were made in either incident. Both suspect pipes were reported to the University Police Department by different bystanders, who were identified and interviewed.
“There are currently no known suspects or specific ‘persons of interest’ at this time,” said UPD Chief Thomas Dewey. “There is a lot of investigative work to do,” he added.
Black and about 12 to 14 inches long, the second device was directly in front of the campus Forum, which adjoins the Behavioral and Social Sciences Building. The pipe was lying on the edge of the sidewalk, next to the right rear tire of a pickup truck parked by the curb.
Police sealed off the 17th & Union Street vicinity in front of the buildings and Garamendi’s listening session was moved elsewhere on campus. Police subsequently evacuated the Behavioral and Social Sciences Building and swept the interior. Nothing was found.
Authorities also carried out a perimeter search and sweep of the new Kinesiology & Athletics Complex, where 4:00 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremonies with Garamendi and HSU President Rollin Richmond proceeded without incident.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad deployed a disintegrating projectile at about 3:15 p.m. to break open the device. UPD evidence technicians are analyzing the fragments and contents for clues.
The Union Street area and the BSSB/Forum reopened at about 4:15 p.m.
UPD asks the public to share any information by dialing UPD at (707) 826-5555 or submitting an anonymous email to hsupd@humboldt.edu.