After finding an inert grenade in a dorm at Unity Hall in Edinburg earlier this evening, the McAllen Police Bomb Response Unit gave an “all-clear” for students, faculty and staff to return to the dormitory.
“As part of our protocol, when it was found, we have to do a proper investigation,” said Patrick Gonzales, associate vice president for University Marketing and Communication. “We have to think of the safety of our students, obviously. Part of that investigation is calling the bomb responsive unit. … They were able to go in and confirm that it was [an inert grenade] and that everything was clear.”
An inert grenade is also known as a dummy grenade. It may be in the shape and dimension as a real grenade.
The McAllen Police Bomb Response Unit arrived at the scene at around 5 p.m.
Gonzales said he was not sure who had reported the item to University Police.
No other suspicious items were found, he said.
“Everything is clear,” Gonzales said. “The students who reside in this dorm have been allowed to go back in. We have been getting a lot of questions if classes are canceled. Classes are not canceled, so evening classes will resume. Thankfully, everything was OK.”
University Police Chief Raul Munguia was not available for comment. The case is under investigation.
