Grove Middle School evacuated, roads blocked off following bomb threat

(From the Grove Police Department)

Around 10:30am on October 31, 2023, Grove Public Schools made the Grove Police Department aware of a threat they had received that a pipe bomb had been placed somewhere in the Grove Middle School. 

The school administration ordered an evacuation at the Middle School and the roads around the schools were blocked off. A request was made by the Grove Police Department to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Bomb Squad to respond to the Grove Middle School. The Middle School was secured until the Bomb Squad could arrive, coming from Tulsa. 

Simultaneously, Investigators with the Grove Police Department began investigating the origin of the threat. Within a short time developed a person of interest (name withheld due to being a juvenile) and after a brief foot pursuit the person of interest was arrested. 

OHP’s Bomb Squad arrived on scene at the Middle School and conducted a search of the school with bomb sniffing K-9s. It was determined there was no device inside the school. The school was deemed clear and school was resumed. 

We would like to thank our partner agencies who responded, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Jay Police Department, Agents from the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), Oklahoma Highway Patrol Bomb Squad, Grove Fire Department, and Grove Emergency Management.

 
The Grove Police Department enjoys a great relationship with the Grove Public School System, which makes managing these difficult situations safer for the students and the public.