Cottage Grove Walmart Evacuated: 'Suspicious Package' In Bathroom

COTTAGE GROVE, MN — The Cottage Grove Walmart store was evacuated Monday evening while local officers and the St. Paul Bomb Squad were investigating a threat. Cottage Grove police initially responded to the store because of a "suspicious package" that was left in one of the bathrooms.

"There is NOT an active shooter," Cottage Grove Mayor Myron Bailey clarified in a statement.

"Police and fire are on the scene and are evaluating the situation with the St Paul Bomb Squad. With the recent bomb found in Prescott over the weekend...no one is taking any chances."

An "all clear" was given just before 7 p.m. Police said they found an item "fashioned to look like it could be a dangerous device."

The store did not reopen until Tuesday morning.

Monday's investigation comes after the St. Paul bomb squad was called in to defuse a bomb near a post office in Prescott, Wisconsin Sunday. The device found Sunday was confirmed to be an improvised explosive device.