This evening, Feb. 25, Assistant Vice President of Communications Ruth Wardwell, sent a series of emails to the student body notifying campus that a device resembling a small pipe bomb had been spotted behind the Bratton Tennis Center.

According to Associate Director of Security Craig McKinnon, campus security received a phone call notifying his office about the device at 5:45 PM earlier this evening. A bomb squad from the Tri-Cities has been called in to investigate the device.

“While it is believed that there is no danger, campus community members are asked to stay clear of the area until the investigation is completed,” Wardwell said in the first email sent to students.

By 8:30 PM the same evening, the device was taken into custody by the bomb squad and the Walla Walla Police Department declared the surrounding area all clear.

Wardwell released a second statement this evening that described the device as a small pipe stuffed with sparklers, similar to sparklers used on July fourth.

The Pioneer will publish more information as it become available.

Emily Lin-Jones contributed additional reporting.