Utah State University in Logan was evacuated on Tuesday after a suspicious device was discovered on campus, just hours before a Turning Point USA event was set to occur. The event featured Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, who had previously been assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10. This was the first event hosted by the organization in Utah following that tragic incident.
The evacuation order was issued as police responded to the alert about the suspicious device. A loud explosion was heard after police warned bystanders to clear the area, with authorities later confirming that the device was deemed non-explosive but was detonated as a precautionary measure.
In a video shared by local news outlet KSL TV, police can be heard shouting “fire in the hole!” before the explosion occurred. Importantly, the building that was evacuated was not the venue for the Turning Point USA event.
The all-clear was given about an hour after the device was reported. University officials stated that the suspicious device was located near the Old Main building, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement and the bomb squad.
In a message sent to students, Utah State urged everyone to evacuate immediately, advising them to use the nearest exits and avoid elevators. Following the evacuation, the university emphasized its commitment to safety and security, noting that it regularly collaborates with law enforcement to ensure thorough planning for events.
Despite the challenges, Turning Point USA, now led by Kirk’s widow, Erika, remains focused on continuing campus events. The scheduled program at Utah State included podcast host Alex Clark and a panel featuring notable figures such as Senator Mike Lee and Governor Spencer Cox.
Earlier that day, the university had announced increased security measures to ensure the safety of attendees at the event. Amanda DeRito, the Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications at Utah State, reassured the community that the university takes safety seriously and regularly evaluates its security protocols.
This incident highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding campus safety and the challenges faced by organizations like Turning Point USA in the current climate.
