(MURFREESBORO) At approximately 9:03 Friday morning, Murfreesboro Police Officers responded to the Rutherford County Republican Party Headquarters at 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.

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.

Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Scott Golden said, "The threat made against the Rutherford County Republican Party Friday 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."

Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is urged to contact Murfreesboro Police Department's 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).

"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.