Suspicious package ‘all clear’ after USU evacuation ahead of TPUSA event

SALT LAKE CITY — A building on the Utah State University campus in Logan was evacuated Tuesday ahead of a scheduled Turning Point USA event at a different building on campus. Nearly an hour after it was reported, authorities gave the “all clear.”

An alert was first sent to students and administrators on campus saying the Old Main Building was being evacuated. Rumors quickly surfaced that a suspicious package had been found there.

“An evacuation has been ordered for the Old Main building on Logan campus. Leave immediately using the nearest exit. Use stairs, not elevators. Take only essential items. Go to your department’s evacuation area if applicable. Follow instructions from emergency personnel. Updates will follow,” the alert said.

A crew arrived on scene shortly after the alert was sent and appeared to suit up to go inside the building.

Minutes later, a law enforcement officer yelled “Fire in the hole!” before a small explosion was then heard by witnesses around.

Police just yelled “fire in the hole” three times before we all heard an explosion. @KSL5TV

Courtesy Julie Carlton pic.twitter.com/EzWhD4adzj

— Erin Cox (@erincoxnews) September 30, 2025

The university released a statement Wednesday stating that the suspicious package turned out to be a wildlife tracking collar for field research. The statement said it had been left there by a USU employee for students to practice telemetry work.

“The Explosive Ordinance Disposal squad typically detonates objects with GPS signals, cell antennas, and other such items that they come across to render them safe out of an abundance of caution,” the university said. “The device was detonated in accordance with this practice, and an all-clear was issued at 3:45 p.m.”

The school’s public safety director commended “the attentive action on campus.”

“I’m grateful our Aggie campus community is proactive about safety,” said Ellis Bruch, executive director for USU Public Safety. “Better safe than sorry isn’t a cliché. It’s a great reminder to always stay alert and diligent. We’re all better off when we’re looking out for one another. We encourage everyone that if you see something, say something. It’s good to see the system work.”