URBANA, Ill. – Campus was deemed safe Monday evening after University of Illinois Police investigated a suspicious device at Temple Hoyne Buell Hall, 611 Lorado Taft Drive, Urbana. 

UIPD officers were dispatched to Temple Hoyne Buell Hall around 5:22 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, after an employee reported finding what appeared to be a grenade on their desk. 

Responding officers evacuated the building and the surrounding area. An Illini-Alert emergency notification was issued to all students, faculty and staff. 

The East Central Illinois Bomb Squad (ECIBS), which includes officers from both the University of Illinois Police Department and the Champaign Police Department, was dispatched to further analyze the device. 

ECIBS technicians examined the device and determined it was a non-explosive replica. 

Police issued the “all-clear” Illini-Alert after confirming there was no ongoing threat and that the scene was safe to re-enter. 

The University of Illinois Police Department appreciates the attentiveness of the employee who initially alerted officers to the device. Police often rely on the assessment of people who are more frequently present in a certain area to determine whether something is unusual or out of the ordinary, since they are more familiar with the specific places where they work or live.

Community members are always encouraged to report suspicious activity to the police if they notice anything out of place.

The University of Illinois Police Department is grateful for the swift response of the East Central Illinois Bomb Squad, Urbana Fire Department and Carle Arrow Ambulance. We appreciate our public safety partners throughout Champaign County who respond quickly to ongoing incidents and help keep our campus community safe.

The investigation is ongoing, and UIPD investigators and Real-Time Information Center analysts are reviewing security camera footage from the area. Police continue to seek evidence or information from witnesses that may help identify and locate the individual who placed the device in the building.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the University of Illinois Police Department at 217-333-1216. Witnesses may remain anonymous by calling Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477 (373-TIPS), visiting 373tips.com or providing information through the P3 Tips mobile app available on iOS and Android. All messages to Crime Stoppers are electronically stripped of identifying information and forwarded to police by an independent third party.