The campus of Utah State University was jolted Tuesday afternoon when a bomb squad detonated what officials called a “suspicious device” just hours before the school was set to host a Turning Point USA event — the first in the state since the assassination of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk.
According to the university, the device was found near Old Main, one of the school’s landmark buildings. A university employee reportedly observed someone place the item under a tree and flagged it to authorities. A K-9 unit gave “a bit of an indication” on the device, prompting bomb squad technicians to intervene. Though later determined to be nonexplosive, the device was detonated as a precaution.
Video from the scene captured the tense moment: a warning cry of “fire in the hole” followed by a sharp blast echoing across campus. Fortunately, no one was injured.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the bomb squad detonated the suspicious device,” the school said in a statement. “Old Main building is now clear and safe. All scheduled events may resume as normal.”
But “normal” is a relative term. The incident unfolded against the backdrop of heightened security concerns surrounding TPUSA events after Kirk was gunned down on September 10 at Utah Valley University.
The alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, faces a litany of charges, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and firing a weapon in the presence of a child.
For Utah State, the timing could not have been more unsettling. Tuesday night’s TPUSA event featured a high-profile lineup including Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), former Rep. Jason Chaffetz, and commentator Alex Clark. With national attention still fixed on the aftermath of Kirk’s assassination, security preparations took on the scale of a major sporting event.
Attendees were required to pass through magnetometers. Bags larger than 6.5 by 4.5 inches were banned, with even small clutches subject to search. No signs were allowed, no re-entry permitted, and firearm carriers were restricted to those with Utah concealed-carry permits.
Ellis Bruch, USU’s Executive Director of Public Safety, stressed that the university is coordinating closely with state and federal law enforcement partners: “Given the heightened concerns, USU’s department of public safety is continuing to collaborate to ensure appropriate safety measures and protocols are in place.”
