Bomb squad on site at Independence apartment complex after “suspicious device” found

Independence police and a bomb squad are on the scene at an Independence apartment complex after a “suspicious device” was found on site earlier this evening.

Independence media officer John Syme reports that shortly after 5 p.m. workers at the Independence Ridge Apartments at 19012 E. 37th Terrace S. notified police of a suspicious device found inside an empty apartment.

Syme says police and a bomb squad have contained one area of the apartment complex and are working to remove the device and complete further investigation. Residents near the containment area have been evacuated while other residents in the apartment have been told to avoid windows.

Devin Clarke, an Independence Ridge resident, was on the complex grounds when police and the bomb squad began arriving.

“Around 5:45 we noticed the maintenance people talking to police. There were like two or three cop cars. Then eventually more came, and then the bomb truck, and another bomb truck, and then next thing I see there’s a robot out.”

Clarke says he and many others in the complex were unaware of what was going on until local news began reporting on the incident around 9 p.m.

“When the cops and bomb squad arrived, there was already a growing crowd,” Clarke says. “They told everyone to go inside. We weren’t really given an explanation.”

Clarke says he observed a bomb squad member enter the apartment around 7 p.m. but says he did not see him return with a device.

This story was originally published February 26, 2018 at 9:34 PM with the headline "Bomb squad on site at Independence apartment complex after “suspicious device” found."