At approximately 9:03 a.m. Friday, June 7, Murfreesboro Police Officers responded to the Rutherford County Republican Party Headquarters, located on E. Main St., in reference to a suspicious package found outside the building.

An employee took the box inside, opened it and saw what appeared to be a possible explosive device. Police were notified immediately.

According to The Daily News Journal, a note attached to the box read: "This is just a warning. There will be no others. There will be no unconstitutional gun control in this state, or there will be blood."

Rutherford Co. Republican Party Chairman Daniel Gammon released the following statement on the threat against the Rutherford Co. Republican Party:

"This morning we received a package at the Rutherford County Republican Party headquarters that appeared to be a bomb. We immediately contacted local authorities and evacuated the building. We are thankful for the quick action of Murfreesboro law enforcement and that all of our volunteers and staff are safe."

Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Scott Golden also released the following statement:  

"The threat made against the Rutherford County Republican Party this morning is alarming. There is no instance where violence is acceptable in any political conversation. We condemn this threat of violence and are extremely grateful to local law enforcement for their quick response to this potential threat."

Murfreesboro Police with assistance from Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department evacuated the building and other nearby businesses as a precaution.

An all-clear was given and the evacuation was lifted after the device was rendered safe and the area cleared with the assistance of a Police K-9.

“The USBDC reviews the specifics of the incident to determine if there are similar incidents across the country,” said ATF Special Agent and Public Information Officer Michael P. Knight.

Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is urged to contact our Criminal Investigation Division at (615) 893-2717.

The case remains under investigation by MPD detectives and agents with the ATF U.S. Bomb Data Center (USBDC).