By Will Katcher
Source masslive.com
A package that exploded Tuesday night at Northeastern University in Boston contained a “rambling” message critical of Facebook, company founder Mark Zuckerberg and the university’s work with virtual reality technology, reports said.
The package exploded around 7 p.m. in Holmes Hall, an academic building at 39 Leon St., leaving the 45-year-old staff member who opened it with minor hand injuries, Boston Police Department Superintendent Felipe Colon said Tuesday night.
The explosion was small and did not damage the building, Boston Police spokesperson Sgt. John Boyle said. It is unclear if the package was built to explode or if the explosion occurred by accident.
Inside the package, authorities found “a rambling note” criticizing Zuckerberg and the ties between academic institutions and developers of virtual reality technology, CNN reported, citing law enforcement sources.
The network said the package was opened by a staff member in Northeastern’s virtual reality center.
Television network WHDH also reported that investigators discovered a “crumpled up typed letter railing against virtual reality and Mark Zuckerberg.” The message was addressed to the “lab manager,” the network’s report said.
Police evacuated campus buildings at Northeastern after the explosion, but the scene on the campus was safe Tuesday night, Colon told reporters around 10:30 p.m.
The 45-year-old man injured in the explosion was transported to a Boston hospital for treatment. Investigators also found a second, similar package that was “ultimately rendered safe by our bomb squad,” Colon said.
The FBI Boston’s office was “offering its full support,” including resources from the Joint Terrorism Task Force, Evidence Response Team and special agent bomb technicians, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie said.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said first responders were very swift, coordinated and effective.
“As a mom, I just sent my own two little babies back to school in our Boston Public Schools,” she said. “I take very seriously that this city is home to everyone’s young people, from our littlest learners up to our college students and university staff.”
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said he was monitoring the situation and “ready to work with the university and our law enforcement partners on any prosecutions that may develop.”
“The quick and thorough response by Boston Police and other agencies is the start of a comprehensive investigation to determine exactly what occurred here,” he said in a statement.
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