Oklahoma casino believes explosive device was reason for hotel evacuation
Authorities continue to search for details about a person who carried an explosive device at the Osage Casino and Hotel in Ponca City, Oklahoma, last week.
The device was found in a hotel guest's luggage last Thursday, Oklahoma television station KOCO reported.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the website to participate in the investigation.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) bomb squad safely destroyed the explosive device. Other officers responded with assistance from the Osage Nation Police Department and the Osage County Sheriff's Office.
The building has been evacuated, no casualties reported
Hotel guests were evacuated from the building as a precaution while the search was ongoing, said Jennifer Swords, the hotel's general manager.
Apparently, the owner of the luggage called authorities to report the device. It's unclear what prompted the person to call police.
Authorities responded quickly and found the device after a search around 8:15 a.m.
I actually saw them leaving with two paper cups and the contents of the equipment and at that time the police chief told me I could let the guest back into the room and they had cleaned everything and I wanted to go back. In - I saw how he actually walked with the device," Swartz told KOCO.
No one was injured in the incident, and the casino and hotel quickly resumed normal operations.
Specific details about the device have not been released this week, and it is unclear whether any arrests will be made. Hotel guests may have notified police for security reasons, but this could not be confirmed this week.
When asked about the device, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Brack Miller told KOCO it was a cartridge designed to simulate an actual explosive device.
It's possible - and this is just some speculation - but it could have a loud flash or explosion to simulate a real device," Miller explained.
The incident was initially investigated as a possible bomb threat, Oklahoma television station KOKH reported.
This tribal hotel and casino is located off U.S. Highway 60, about 105 miles north of Oklahoma City.
The hotel is part of the Osage Casino Hotel chain and is operated by the Osage Nation.
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Source: www.casino.org
