Lynnwood Police are reporting that the Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad has successfully deactivated an explosive device found in the Northpointe Apartment complex in the 5200 block of 168th Street Southwest on Monday afternoon.
Police said the device was live and the bomb squad was able to make the device safe. Lynnwood Police Detectives will be investigating. The lockdown in the area has been lifted.
Earlier story:
Lynnwood police and fire crews are at the scene in the 5200 block of 168th Street Southwest Monday after the discovery of a suspicious device left behind by a former tenant.
According to a Lynnwood Police Department spokesman, the area of 168th Street Southwest between 52nd and 56th Avenues Southwest is blocked from pedestrian and vehicle traffic while officers await the arrival of the Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad.
Officers learned that the Lynnwood Fire Department was at the apartment complex doing an inspection when they were notified by a complex employee who had found the device, possibly an explosive, located in a garage area. The 30-unit apartment complex and a nearby business were evacuated as a precaution, and Beverly Elementary School has been placed on modified lock down.
What was the device? Was it just an old piece of ordnance or something built by tenants to cause harm? An irresponsible collector or a malicious bomber?
Good questions. We will be following up with Lynnwood police for answers.