MCMINNVILLE, Ore. — A bomb squad responded to an Oregon middle school last week after a suspected hand grenade was found on campus.
McMinnville Police responded to Patton Middle School around 10:35 a.m. on Dec. 18 after receiving reports of a possible hand grenade in a grass field near the school’s track, USA Today reports. Staff secured students inside the building while officers secured school grounds before contacting the Oregon State Police Bomb Squad.
The bomb squad used drones to take close-up photos of the item and determined it was a dog poop bag dispenser shaped like a hand grenade. The dispenser was removed from school property and school activities returned to normal.
McMinnville Police thanked the bomb squad for its support and Patton staff for ensuring students’ safety during the incident.
“In an abundance of caution, school staff notified teachers who may have taken students outside during this time to remain indoors,” McMinnville School District spokesperson Laurie Fry wrote in a statement. “McMinnville PD responded promptly and quickly realized the device was not real. There was no direct threat to students.”
MPD Patrol Captain Scott Fessler told USA Today that nothing indicates the dispenser was intentionally left on school grounds to cause panic.
“There hadn’t been any threats towards the school or that area or anyone in particular in that area, so there’s really nothing on the onset that we’re aware of to indicate that it was done intentionally,” he said. “I would really be surprised if somebody came forward unless it was to maybe just say, ‘Hey, sorry for causing the concern.'”
