David Bridges
A package that exploded at Northeastern University, sending a male staffer, 45, to hospital with minor injuries to his hand was reportedly in a ‘Pelican case’ and contained a bizarre ‘manifesto’.
WBZ-TV News Anchor David Wade tweeted: ‘WBZ I-Team sources say the package that exploded at Northeastern University was in a ‘Pelican case’ and contained a manifesto railing against virtual reality and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.’
Holmes Hall has been said to house the Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies program, the journalism department and the campus Virtual Reality club and immersive media (VR) labs, according to Twitter users.
Theories that the explosion may have been targeted toward Northeastern University Virtual Reality emerged on social media hours after the incident.
While the theory remains unfounded, a former member of the group said if the club had been a target it could have been developed over the pandemic where people’s reliance on VR grew.
‘I think it’s possible that, given the loss of in-person communication during quarantine, some people (in the general public, not Northeastern students in particular) may have begun relying on virtual reality for social interaction,’ they told DailyMail.com.
‘We don’t know what psychological effects this has yet, it’s a very new space.
‘It’s possible that someone was hurt by an interaction they had in VR and wanted to lash out I suppose. But that’s just a guess, seems odd to target Northeastern in particular.’
A package that exploded at Northeastern University, sending a male staffer, 45, to hospital was reportedly in a ‘Pelican case’ and contained a bizarre ‘manifesto’
A Pelican case is a hard often waterproof black case with a soft inner lining typically used to transport delicate items
Holmes Hall has been said to house the Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies program, the journalism department and the campus Virtual Reality club, according to twitter users
Theories that the explosion may have been targeted toward Northeastern University Virtual Reality emerged on social media hours after the incident
While the theory is unfounded, a former member of the group says people’s reliance on VR through the pandemic could have made the club a target if someone had a bad VR experience
Northeastern University said the package, which exploded at 7.18 pm on Tuesday night, had been delivered to campus and detonated after being opened by a staff member
The package was delivered at about 7pm Tuesday night to the Leon Street building, detonating shortly after it was opened by a male staffer, 45
Holmes Hall was evacuated and Northeastern University Police Department tweeted that the area was secure three hours after the incident took place
Northeastern University said the package, which exploded at 7.18 pm on Tuesday night, had been delivered to campus and detonated after being opened by a staff member.
The package was delivered at about 7pm Tuesday night to the Leon Street building, detonating shortly after, authorities told NBC Boston.
Northeastern University Police Department tweeted that Holmes Hall was secured three hours after the incident took place, just before 10pm.
Police say the staff member is a 45-year-old male who sustained a minor hand injury and was taken to hospital.
The Boston Police Department’s bomb squad say a search revealed a second similar package that was ultimately rendered safe.
The Boston Bomb Squad, Boston Police, Boston fire and Boston Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the Leon Street incident, shortly after the package detonated, at about 7.20pm.
In a press conference to media Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said she is taking the incident ‘very seriously.’
Northeastern University said a package, which exploded at 7.18pm Tuesday night, had been delivered to campus and detonated when opened by a male staff member aged 45
Terrorism cannot be ruled out by authorities after a package exploded at the Boston University, leaving one person injured and taken to hospital
Northeastern University Police Department tweeted that Holmes Hall was secure three hours after the incident took place, earlier asking people to avoid the area
Harvard University say they are working with authorities to keep their campus safe
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology tweeted for people to report any suspicious activity
‘This city is home to everyone’s young people, from our littlest learners up to our college students and university staff,’ said Mayor Wu.
‘So we want to make sure we emphasize that this is of the utmost priority, the safety and well-being of all of our young people here.’
Holmes Hall was evacuated and a notification was sent to the Boston campus at 7.55pm urging people to avoid the area.
Shortly after 8.30 pm, the university notified Northeastern students that evening classes at the Behrakis Health Sciences Center, Shillman Hall, Ryder Hall, Kariotis Hall, Dockser Hall and West Village F are canceled due to the ongoing investigation.
Other Universities in the area including The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard also voiced concern.
MIT tweeted: ‘MIT Alert: Explosion at Northeastern U. MIT Police are urging all MIT community to be cautious. Please report any suspicious packages.
Jacob Isaacs (pictured) who was in class in Holmes Hall when it was evacuated says there had been some confusion at the time
Isaacs added that they did not hear anything that sounded like an explosion before they saw first responders arrive
There are no clear leads into the mystery explosion which injured a 45 year old Northeastern staffer
Harvard University tweeted: ‘Harvard Alert: HUPD is aware of reports of a detonation of a suspicious package at Northeastern.
‘We are working with law enforcement and increasing patrols on Harvard campuses.
‘Out of abundance of caution we urge community members to report anything suspicious to 617-495-1212.’
A 7News reporter speaking to authorities on the ground said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are currently coordinating with Boston Police and Terrorism had not been ruled out.
‘FBI currently coordinating with Boston Police… Sources say too early to say whether this is related to terrorism or not,’ the tweet read.
Boston Police told NBC Boston that the explosion took place on campus at Holmes Hall on Leon Street and the building was evacuated.
The Boston Bomb Squad, Boston Police, Boston fire and Boston EMS responded to the Leon Street incident and the FBI is also involved
Boston Emergency Medical Services tweeted reports of the explosion and said at least one person had been taken to hospital earlier in the night
Jacob Isaacs who was in class in Holmes Hall during its evacuation told 7News there was some confusion about what had happened when the incident took place.
‘We were in class and then we saw two policemen walk through the building and then as soon as we look out the window, we see a fire truck with the lights on blazing,’ said Issacs.
‘Our teacher is like ‘I gotta see what’s going on,’ and he sees that the fire truck is going and there’s a police car outside and as that happened, instantly the fire alarm starts going off.
Isaacs added that they did not hear anything that sounded like an explosion before they saw first responders arrive.
Investigations into the incident continues with Northeastern University Police Department asking people to ‘avoid the area.’
It is still unclear where the package came from as investigations into the matter continue.
Tessa Everly
Clara Hastings
