UPDATE: According to Chaffee County Sheriff spokeswoman Laura Smith, an x-ray of the explosive device determined it was a "practice round" and nothing suspicious. The Buena Vista Police Department re-took custody of the scene, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will take the device back to the crime lab for processing. Streets have reopened and the investigation is ongoing. (Note: It was originally reported that the El Paso County bomb squad was on scene; an email update from Smith says it was the Colorado Springs Police Department bomb squad.)
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ORIGINAL HEADLINE: Bomb Squad Assesses Device in Buena Vista; Precautions Still in Place
Authorities are responding to a suspected explosive device found this morning in the bed of a pickup truck outside the Buena Vista Public Library. KRCC’s Elaina Formby has more.
The El Paso County bomb squad arrived in Buena Vista around 1:15 this afternoon, and the improvised explosive device is under ongoing examination, says Chaffee County Sheriff Department public information officer Laura Smith.
"They have sent their robot out to the truck where the IED is located, and the robot is assessing the situation."
Smith says as of early this afternoon, schools remain on lockout, the U.S. 24-Main Street intersection remains closed, and the public is being advised to avoid the area.
Smith says authorities have not yet determined the origin of the device.
