In a tense afternoon on the Logan campus, Utah State University evacuated its historic Old Main building after reports of a suspicious package surfaced. The incident, unfolding just hours before a scheduled Turning Point USA gathering, prompted a swift response from law enforcement. Students and staff were ushered out around 4 p.m., with alerts urging them to avoid elevators and head to designated areas. Indeed, the timing couldn't have been more fraught, given the recent killing of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk earlier this month.
Police and a bomb squad arrived quickly, isolating the area near the building's exterior. What they found was no ordinary threat—a misplaced wildlife telemetry collar, intended for an undergraduate class in field research. Placed there by a university employee for a telemetry practice session, the device apparently raised alarms due to its GPS signals and antennas. Out of caution, the squad detonated it with a controlled explosion, echoing across the quad. Witnesses described hearing a sharp blast, followed by the all-clear announcement about an hour later. The university stressed that no injuries occurred, and activities resumed normally by evening.
However, the episode underscores the heightened security measures in place for the TPUSA event, the organization's first in Utah since Kirk's death. Campus officials had already bolstered patrols and bag checks, citing potential disruptions from protesters or worse. Ellis Bruch, executive director for USU Public Safety, later praised the vigilance: "Better safe than sorry isn't just a saying—it's how we protect our community." Still, one can't help but wonder if the collar's innocent purpose got lost in the scramble, amplifying fears amid national tensions.
The event itself proceeded without further incident that night, drawing a crowd to hear speakers on conservative issues. Yet, in the broader picture, such close calls highlight how campuses navigate free speech and safety in polarized times. What does this mean for future gatherings on public universities?