Bomb scare at AEPi

A suspicious package was discovered at the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity at 45 Sawyer Ave. in Somerville over the winter recess on January 5.

The package was originally thought to have been a bomb but later found to be a "hoax device," according to Lieutenant Paul Trant, Public Information Officer for the Somerville Police Department.

No one interviewed would give any more details on the appearance of the package and what made it look suspicious enough to prompt a call to the police.

Trant said that units from the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD), Somerville police and fire departments, Massachusetts State Police, and the Bomb Squad of the State Fire Marshal's office were on scene.

Somerville Fire Chief Kevin Kelleher said that the call was made at 11:01am, and the area was cleared at 1:04pm, but did not have any more information. The Somerville Journal did not report the incident in its fire log.

TUPD would not comment on the incident while it is under investigation. Todd Sullivan, Director of Greek Life, was also unable to comment. According to AEPi president Joe Bornstein, the fraternity is very interested in cooperating with the investigation, and the suspicious package was not fraternity-related.