TONASKET, Wash — A woman walking near Tonasket School discovered an improvised explosive device on a community path Thursday, prompting authorities to secure the area before the Spokane Bomb Squad safely detonated the device.
The woman found the device while walking on the community path near the school campus. Authorities secured the area and implemented safety protocols to protect students and the public.
The Spokane Bomb Squad confirmed the device contained black powder and conducted a controlled detonation. Residents in the immediate area may have heard the explosion.
No injuries were reported. The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office is investigating and asking anyone who observed the device Thursday morning or saw someone handling it to contact authorities.
The walking path is used daily by community members.
Updated at 6:05 p.m.
A suspicious item found near Tonasket High School prompted authorities to implement security measures across the school district and call in a bomb squad Thursday, according to the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office.
The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the item discovered on a walking path near the high school. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad has been called to assist with the safe removal of the item, authorities said.
Officials have asked the public to stay away from the area until further notice.
All district schools are under “Secure the Building” procedures, which lock exterior doors while allowing students to move freely inside buildings, according to the Tonasket School District. The measures were later modified to allow Tonasket High School students to use playgrounds on the north side of campus only.
School dismissal will occur at regular time with modified routes for students who walk home. The sheriff’s office has requested that students not use Highway 20 as their walking path, district officials said.
“The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority,” district officials said in a statement. “We will provide updates as more information becomes available.”
No additional details about the nature of the suspicious item have been released.
This is a developing story.
