No ongoing threat at Irving Middle School, police continue to investigate
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - UPDATE 4:15 p.m. Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 and the Pocatello Police Department conducted an initial investigation concerning specific threats may be concerning SD 25 students, staff and buildings Monday. Persons of interest were developed, identified and interviewed.
On Tuesday, additional information was developed and a suspected IED was discovered at Irving Middle School.
Staff and Pocatello Police School Resource Officers acted immediately, based on the situation, and declared the students and staff would evacuate from the school and move to a safer location.
Subsequent investigation into the incident involved members of the Pocatello Police School Resource, the Pocatello Police K9 Unit, Pocatello Police Patrol Division, Pocatello Police Street Crimes Unit and the Pocatello Police Detective Division. The Pocatello Fire Department, Bannock County Search and Rescue and Idaho Falls Police Bomb Squad further assisted at the scene and for the safety of the students and Pocatello residents.
The device initially recovered was found to contain no explosive material and is now in the custody of the Pocatello Police Department.
This situation is a complex and evolving investigation, involving SD 25, Pocatello Police School Resource Officers, Pocatello Police Detectives, Pocatello Police Street Crimes Unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
There are no credible threats to the citizens of Pocatello, SD 25 Students or SD 25 Staff.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Pocatello Police Department at (208)234-6121.
This is an active investigation and all inquiries need to be made through Captain Anderson of the Pocatello Police Detective Division.
UPDATE 2:00 p.m. The Pocatello Police Department has cleared the building at Irving Middle School and has determined there is no known ongoing threat.
The building will remain closed until Wednesday morning when school resumes.
Students can retrieve their personal belongings Wednesday.
All after-school activities at Irving, including track practice, have been canceled. The all-city track meet will be held as scheduled.
"On behalf of IMS and PCSD 25 administration, we appreciate everyone’s cooperation today, which played a critical role in maintaining the safety of staff and learners," the district said. "Thank you, staff, learners and parents for remaining calm, composed, and patient while we worked as quickly as possible to reconnect learners to their families and address the situation."
UPDATE 10:15 p.m. The district said all learners from Irving Middle School are being released from school pending the ongoing police investigation.
Students continue to be safe and accounted for and are currently en route to the Pocatello High School Pit gymnasium where they may be checked out by parents from their 1st hour teacher, the district said.
Learners in the DLP program will remain at Raymond Park for parent pick-up.
ORIGINAL: Pocatello/Chubbuck District 25 said out of an abundance of caution, all learners and staff have been evacuated from Irving Middle School due to a suspicious object located in a backpack.
Police are onsite and an investigation is ongoing.
The district said it will provide updates as they are received.
All learners and staff are safe and accounted for at the evacuation site, Raymond Park.
Pocatello Police said parents have been notified of the incident.
Police have a 1-block area closed down.
