A bomb scare at LaGrange College's Hawkins Dormitory on Wednesday morning sent authorities scrambling to respond to a potential threat—a threat that quickly defused upon the discovery that the cause for alarm was merely a theater prop. The false alarm was triggered when a resident advisor stumbled upon what seemed to be an explosive device within an unoccupied student room, prompting an urgent response from local police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Bomb Squad. FOX5 Atlanta reported that the incident occurred at around 11:30 a.m. along Broad Street.
Upon arrival, law enforcement followed protocol, quickly securing the area to protect potentially anyone on campus. However, it was discovered soon after that the supposed bomb was, in fact, innocently intended for an academic engagement. "The LaGrange Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division soon determined the device was a prop created for a theater class assignment," according to FOX5 Atlanta. Nevertheless, the student responsible for creating the realistic-looking prop had evidently failed to properly dispose of or store it, contrary to what was evidently required.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities were able to stand down the GBI Bomb Squad as they recognized the item posed no real danger to public safety. The item was subsequently confiscated by police for appropriate disposal. During this time, it was confirmed that students had yet to return from their Christmas break, effectively ensuring that the dormitory was empty and no individuals were at risk. "At no point was there ever any danger to any students or general public," the LaGrange Police Department assured in a news release, as noted by FOX5 Atlanta.
Following the incident, the LaGrange Police Department extended its gratitude towards the college staff for their cooperation and concern. "The LaGrange Police Department is grateful to the LaGrange College staff for their full and complete cooperation in this matter, as well as their obvious concern for the ongoing safety of their students," police said, as detailed in a statement obtained by WTVM.
