University Park, Pa. — A suspicious package found in the basement of Atherton Hall on the University Park campus Wednesday (May 5) evening caused the evacuation of about 600 students and the closure of several roads near campus as a precautionary measure.
A maintenance worker entering the building to check on the sprinkler system at around 9:30 p.m. found the package in a janitorial closet and alerted University Police, who then called for the evacuation of the building. Going door-to-door in the residence hall, police and University employees asked students to leave the facility and relocate to the Hetzel Union Building.
Several bomb technicians are currently on the scene to inspect the package that had visible wires protruding from it. More information will be available after the bomb specialists are able to determine what the package may contain.