A pressurized case found at Northeastern University’s Experiential Technologies Lab contained a note critiquing Mark Zuckerberg and academia’s relationship to the developers of virtual reality.
It is unclear when or how the case arrived at the lab, but according to CNN, it has been confirmed that it did not arrive through the postal service. CNN has also reported that no evidence of explosives was found, but that a 45-year-old Northeastern University employee was injured by the explosive force of the pressurized case and has been treated at a hospital for lacerations to their hand.
The Experiential Technologies Lab researches AR and VR technologies, biometrics, and creative digital tools. The lab’s relationship to Meta, however, is unclear.
The case used was specifically a Pelican case, which is a hard carrying case typically used to transport fragile photography or audio visual equipment like microphones. The Boston Police Department’s bomb squad noted that a second similar package was discovered and declared safe during the ensuing search.
The scene was investigated and cleared by a joint effort from the Boston Police, the Boston Fire Department, and Boston Emergency Medical Services, and the FBI is involved in an ongoing follow-up investigation.
Police were called to the scene around 7:18 p.m. on Tuesday Sep. 14 and had contained the situation by 10 p.m. Evening classes at several buildings on campus were canceled due to the investigation.
« Classes, research, and all other campus activities have resumed today, » the university announced this morning. « The safety and security of our campus community is essential and remains our highest priority. We will continue to provide continuous updates as new information becomes available. »
Mashable has reached out to Meta and to Northeastern University for comment.
