(LifeSiteNews) — A bomb squad detonated a suspicious device outside Utah State University on Tuesday afternoon, hours before the first Turning Point USA event in Utah since the assassination of co-founder Charlie Kirk in September.

The object, spotted near Old Main on campus, was examined by a bomb-sniffing dog before being handled by law enforcement. It was deemed to be non-explosive but destroyed out of caution. Video from the scene captured the blast after police shouted, “Fire in the hole!”

BREAKING: Utah State University evacuated after a “suspicious package” was found ahead of a Turning Point USA event tonight.

The bomb squad has reportedly safely detonated the package after “FIRE IN THE HOLE” was heard.
pic.twitter.com/WYv1mnRlna

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 30, 2025

Ellis Bruch, USU’s executive director of public safety, said that no one was injured. Bruch told Fox News that an employee noticed someone place the item under a tree and reported it. Given that the dog gave “a bit of an indication,” it was treated with full precaution.

The university confirmed Old Main was cleared and reopened, and events resumed. Authorities did not identify the individual seen leaving the object.

The incident came hours before a TPUSA gathering featuring Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Andy Biggs, and former Rep. Jason Chaffetz. The group joined commentator Alex Clark for the first TPUSA event in the state since Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University on September 10.

Kirk, 31, was hit once in the neck while speaking on his American Comeback Tour. Investigations into the murder are ongoing.

In Logan, university officials heightened security for Tuesday’s program. Entry rules mirrored athletic event protocols: all attendees passed through magnetometers, large bags were barred, small clutches were subject to search, firearms required conceal-carry permits, and re-entry was prohibited.

“Given the heightened concerns, USU is continuing to collaborate with partners to ensure appropriate safety measures are in place,” the university said in a statement.

The event proceeded without further incident.