The discovery of a suspected hand grenade on the grounds of an Oregon middle school sparked panic and forced students to evacuate as bomb squad officials conducted an investigation. The incident took place on Monday morning at a local middle school in McMinnville, prompting an immediate response from the McMinnville Police Department.

According to a Facebook post by the police department, officers were called to the scene at approximately 10:35 a.m. after receiving reports of a potential hand grenade on school grounds. Upon arrival, authorities located what appeared to be a hand grenade in a grass field near the school's running track, a considerable distance away from any school buildings.

Concerned for the safety of the students and staff, arriving officers swiftly took action to secure the area and initiated contact with the Oregon State Police Bomb Squad. As a precautionary measure, all students were instructed to remain indoors until the situation could be properly assessed and resolved.

In an effort to gain a closer look at the suspicious item while maintaining a safe distance, law enforcement officials employed the use of a drone to capture detailed photographs. After careful examination of the images, it was determined that the object in question was, in fact, a dog waste bag dispenser cleverly designed to mimic the appearance of a hand grenade.

Relief washed over the school community as the police department announced that the item was promptly removed from the premises. With the threat eliminated, regular school activities resumed, and the students were able to return to their usual routines.

While the incident turned out to be a false alarm, it serves as a reminder of the ever-present need for heightened vigilance when it comes to school safety. Authorities commended the quick response and cooperation of both the students and staff during the evacuation, emphasizing the importance of adhering to protocol in potentially dangerous situations.

The McMinnville Police Department expressed gratitude to the Oregon State Police Bomb Squad and all other agencies involved for their prompt and efficient handling of the situation. They also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects to the authorities immediately.

As the investigation concluded and normalcy was restored, the incident left a lasting impression on the school and its community, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining security measures and the potential consequences of seemingly innocuous objects.