PRESS RELEASE FROM GPD REGARDING EVACUATION TODAY AT GOSHEN HIGH SCHOOL

At about 12:00pm, Officers were called to the Goshen high school in reference to an unknown package, noticed by a passing teacher, under a bush near the Whiteman wing. In the interest of personal safety, the Goshen High School administration made the decision to evacuate the students to the area of the baseball field and Administration Center green space.

A large perimeter was set by officers and closer examination was conducted by police and fire personnel. Goshen K9 unit “hit” on the device as containing electrical wires or components. The Elkhart Police Department bomb squad was contacted to potentially assist with disposal of the device.

The device was determined to be an electrical lighting device placed there by an electrician contracted by the school system to perform work at the high school. The electrician had left the lighting device under the bush, “out of the way” while he left for lunch.

EPD bomb squad was told to disregard and students were allowed to return to the school. Students and staff were evacuated for approximately 45 minutes.