By Bethany Adams

The Trussville Tribune

TRUSSVILLE –UPDATE 5:43 p.m. ATF Special Agent in Charge David Hyche confirmed Thursday night that suspicious device found on a vehicle at Magnolia Elementary School contained explosive material. Agents did a 12 inch by 12 inch grid search of the area after the package was shot with a water filled shotgun shell to disable the device.

Sources say the explosive material was believed to be gunpowder. Wires and a digital timer were visible when the package was discovered following a 911 call reporting a Hispanic man was seen leaving the package on the school ground.

UPDATE 12:33 p.m.– According to Captain Bridges, the bomb squad successfully neutralized the package just before noon, and the FBI will examine the device to see if it contained explosives.

Officers have blocked off the parking lot to preserve evidence, and an investigation is underway. There is currently no information on who placed the package.

Parents are now welcome to check their children out using the bus line.

UPDATE 12:12 p.m.– According to Trussville City Schools Superintendent Pattie Neill, all schools were placed under soft lock down during the investigation.

UPDATE 12:07 p.m.– The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad disarmed the package through the use of a disruptor, according to on site officials. The school has been downgraded to a soft lock down, and children are currently being returned to their classrooms. According to Trussville City School Board President Sid McNeal, officers are working to establish a protocol allowing parents to pick up their children.

TRUSSVILLE –Captain Jeff Bridges of the Trussville Police Department said a 911 caller on Wednesday morning told police a bomb had been placed in front of Magnolia Elementary School in Trussville.

The caller said he saw a Hispanic male place a package in front of the school. Officers arrived to find a box with wires and a timer attached and placed the school on lock down. The package was on a vehicle on the south end of the parking lot.

The Jefferson county Sheriff’s Office bomb squad was called to the school. Those officers are on site at this time.

“The bomb squad will remove the package to the woods x-ray it and shoot it,” Bridges said.

According to Bridges, all the students are safe and in the hardened room inside the school. Trussville police officers are inside with them.

“The best thing for parents to do is stay away from the school right now,” Bridges said. “The kids are watching movies and they’re safe, and we have people with them.”

Bridges said, “The school will remain on lock down until the issue is resolved.”

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.