Suspicious Packages Lead to University of Louisiana at Lafayette Campus Shutdown

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Bomb technicians are working to neutralize a suspicious device near one of Louisiana's largest universities while authorities investigate a second suspicious package found in a in a nearby parking garage.

Louisiana state police said in a Facebook post that residents near University of Louisiana at Lafayette may hear a controlled explosion.

State Trooper Brooks David says the bomb squad was neutralizing the first device, which was found in a trash can. Authorities say they are carefully examining what they described as a second suspicious package.

Classes and other activities were canceled for the day.

Lafayette police spokesman Kyle Soriez says someone called about 5:35 a.m. to say a bomb had been placed at Girard Park, which sits next to the sprawling, 1,500-acre university campus.

University spokeswoman Kathleen Thames says about 5,500 students are enrolled in summer school and 400 freshmen were coming for orientation.