Emily Kelley / Roundup
A pipe bomb was discovered near the pond on campus yesterday, according to sheriff’s deputy Ron Nohles, team leader for the Pierce College Sheriff’s Office.
Interim president Dr. Joy McCaslin released a statement on Tuesday afternoon offering more details about the incident.
According to her statement, a father and son who were walking near the duck pond on the western part of campus reportedly discovered the 7-inch explosive device.
They brought the device to the Sheriffs Station around 2:30 p.m. and the L.A. County Sheriff’s Arson/Explosives detail was called.
It was a campus holiday, so no students or staff were on campus according to McCaslin, but the area around the station was still evacuated and secured.
The Arson/Explosives detectives responded and took control of the situation, according to a Sheriff’s Department press release. The L.A. City Fire Department personnel were also called and responded to the scene.
The detectives determined that the device was live and then rendered it safe. A follow up with be done be the Arson/Explosives detectives at an unknown time.
“Arson investigators surveyed the whole area and it is now open and safe,” said Nohles in McCaslin’s statement.
Nohles also said that there had been no calls or threats and the device was not believed to be a threat against any one person.
“It’s an ongoing investigation,” said Nohles, adding that there is no reason to believe there will be any further incidents and that the college will remain open.
No one was hurt and there are no suspects at this time.
More information will follow as it becomes available. Check back at www.therounduponline.net for continued coverage.
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The L.A. Sheriff’s Department released with report on Tuesday. ()