UPDATE: Police say suspicious device not a 'credible threat' - East Idaho News
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UPDATE: Police say suspicious device not a ‘credible threat’

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4:30 p.m. UPDATE:

The Pocatello Police Department, in conjunction with several other agencies including the Idaho Falls Police Bomb Squad, have determined that a suspected improvised explosive device was not actually an explosive.

Authorities say the school district received threats Monday, which led to the precautions taken Tuesday, according to a Pocatello Police news release. Police worked to identify persons of interest and interviewed them on Monday, the release says.

The suspected device was found Tuesday morning and the school was evacuated by school district staff, school resource officers and patrol division officers.

Agencies involved in the investigation included Pocatello Police K-9 units, street crimes unit and detective divisions. The Pocatello Fire Department, Bannock County Search and Rescue and Idaho Falls Police Bomb Squad also assisted. The FBI is also involved, the release says.

The device was been taken into custody by Pocatello police.

“There are no credible threats to the citizens of Pocatello, SD 25 students or SD 25 staff,” the release says.

Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is encouraged to contact the Pocatello Police Department at (208) 234-6121.

Irving middle

2 p.m. UPDATE:

In an automated call received by Pocatello/Chubbuck School District parents, the district indicated there is no longer any threat at Irving Middle School.

“Pocatello Police Department has cleared the building,” the call said.

All on-campus activities remain canceled for the day and will resume tomorrow.

Due to the involvement of multiple agencies, Pocatello police officials were unable to immediately comment about the incident. EastIdahoNews.com can confirm K-9 units were on-site during the investigation, but little else is being provided at this time.

Further information is expected to be released this afternoon.

Scene
Irving Middle School | Kalama Hines, EastIdahoNews.com

11 a.m. UPDATE:

All students from Irving Middle School are being released from school Tuesday due to an ongoing police investigation of a “suspicious object.”

Pocatello/Chubbuck District spokeswoman Courtney Fisher said all students and teachers continue to be safe and accounted for. Students are currently en route to the Pocatello High School Pit gymnasium where they may be checked out by parents from their first-hour teacher, according to a news release.

Learners in the DLP program will remain at Raymond Park for parent pick-up. All other parents, please proceed to Pocatello High School to pick up your child. Do not go to Raymond Park.

For questions, do not contact Pocatello High School. Contact the district office at (208) 232-3563.

Multiple streets surrounding the school have been closed, however, nearby homes do not appear to have not been evacuated.

ORIGINAL STORY:

POCATELLO — Irving Middle School in Pocatello was evacuated Tuesday morning after a suspicious object was found in a black backpack on campus.

All students, staff, and faculty have safely been moved to Raymond Park “out of an abundance of caution,” according to a Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 news release.

Pocatello police confirm they are at the school, but they have not released any other information.

Parents are being allowed to pick up their kids, District 25 spokeswoman Courtney Fisher said. However, she encourages parents to hold off, as that would create chaos that the school staff is not prepared to handle.

EastIdahoNews.com will update this story as more details are released.

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