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Springfield authorities investigating bomb

Hannah Meisel
/
Illinois Public Radio/WUIS

Authorities say they're investigating a pipe bomb that was found and destroyed Monday night in Springfield.

The Illinois Secretary of State Bomb Squad neutralized the bomb after it was found on a sidewalk outside of a bar. 
Once local police were on the scene, the bomb squad responded by identifying the object, then disabling it in a water cannon. 

Bomb Squad Investigator Rick Beaty says the bomb could have detonated about three-quarters of a pound in explosives, which would have caused damage to anything within a five-foot radius. 

"Very well made.  It was not crudely made.  It was fashioned as I said out of a PVC pipe and had the end caps in place. It looks like someone knew what they were doing."

Beaty says bomb threats in Springfield are rare, but they have happened in the past. Beaty encourages anyone who sees a suspicious object or an out-of-place package to call authorities.

Hannah covers state government and politics for NPR Illinois and Illinois Public Radio. She previously covered the statehouse for The Daily Line and Law360, and also worked a temporary stint at the political blog Capitol Fax in 2018.