Package explodes at Northeastern; ECPD monitoring situation

An+Emerson+College+Police+car.

The Berkeley Beacon Archives

An Emerson College Police car.

By Bailey Allen, Former news editor

Emerson College Police Department increased campus building security Tuesday night after a package delivered to a Northeastern University building exploded when it was opened, officials said.

Around 7:18 p.m., Boston Police responded to Northeastern’s Holmes Hall at 39 Leon Street after they were notified that a package had exploded, injuring a 45-year-old man, according to a statement from the Boston Police Department. The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. No students were injured.

The Boston Police Bomb Squad found a second package but determined it to be safe, the department said.

Evening classes in nearby buildings were canceled at 8:45 p.m., according to a statement from Northeastern University. The scene was contained and the campus was secured by 11:28 p.m. Wednesday classes were scheduled as normal.

An investigation led by Boston Police and the FBI is underway, according to the statement by BPD.

Emerson police officers and security staff will monitor campus buildings “with added vigilance” and ask community members to stay alert, ECPD Chief Robert Smith said in a statement Tuesday night.

Other neighboring universities including Harvard University, MIT, and Tufts University released statements reminding students to remain vigilant.

Just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, Emerson officials announced that there does not seem to be any threat to the campus and that no changes to the college’s operations are necessary.

ECPD asks community members to report any suspicious activity or packages to 617-824-8888, according to the statement.