Police: 'Suspicious device' found at Giffords' vigil was non-explosive

Posted Jan 8, 2011

Dylan Smith
TucsonSentinel.com

A suspicious package was discovered at a vigil at Rep. Giffords' office was found to be non-explosive by the bomb squad, said a police spokesman.

The package was found about 5 p.m. by a Tucson Police Department officer assigned to a vigil at Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' office, 1661 N. Swan Rd.

The crowd—gathered following the killing of six and wounding of 13 others, including the congresswoman—was dispersed to a safe location across the street pending evaluation of the package, said Sgt. Matt Ronstadt.

TPD's Explosives and Hazardous Devices Detail responded to evaluate the suspicious package, which was described as a circular metal tin, similar to a "cookie tin."

Personnel from the FBI and Secret Service were also on scene, Ronstadt said.

Officials at a 6 p.m. press conference declined to speculate on the relationship between the device and the shooting earlier in the day.

The bomb squad found suspicious components inside the device, which was "disrupted in place" by a controlled detonation at about 7:20 p.m.

An initial analysis indicates that the device was non-explosive, Ronstadt said. The investigation is ongoing, he said.