Two Bombs, Decapitated Body Found Near Nichols Middle School - Investigation Continues

UPDATE 2:42 p.m.:

Evanston Police Commander Tom Guenther said at a brief press conference that Nichols Middle School will likely be closed tomorrow due to an ongoing investigation and out of a concern for student safety.  He did not comment on whether or not the school was considered a target for two pipe bombs that detonated early this morning.

"We take this extremely seriously and that's why at this point investigation continues," he said, "and it not only involves the Evanston Police Department but also the county and the FBI."

Guenther confirmed that the man who died in the first explosion lived on the 1000 block of Main Street, which was blocked off earlier today.  He said an investigation into the apartment is ongoing and the man's computer will be searched for clues about a possible motive.

The man was "known by" another police department, Guenther said, but he declined to comment on his police record or how he was known to the other department. He said that officials in Evanston are working with that police department on the case.

UPDATE 12:39 p.m.:

Fourth Ward Alderman Donald Wilson, who went to Fitzsimmons Park shortly after the first device detonated early this morning, described it as a "very disturbing scene and situation."

Wilson said he saw the body but declined to comment on it.

"I could describe it but I'm not going to," he said. "It was a very disturbing scene."

He said he remained near the park this morning to assist families and children who were heading to school.  He commended the school district response, and said they did a good job alerting families of the situation.

"They did probably the best that could have been done under the circumstances, given the timing," Wilson said.  "The people in the neighborhood, parents, teachers at the school, the police department, everyone really pulled together to make this not disruptive for the kids as possible."

UPDATE 10:50 a.m.:

The forensics team is now on the scene.

UPDATE:

Evanston Police Commander Tom Guenther provided the following details at a press conference near the scene at about 9:50 this morning:

-At 3:56 a.m. residents in the area reported hearing a large explosion. Police searched the scene but did not find any device.

-At 5:48 a.m. an individual walking a dog at Fitzsimmons Park reported seeing a decapitated male body.  Next to the body was a possible explosive device.

-The Cook County Bomb Squad was called to the scene and went door-to-door securing the area

-The bomb squad detonated a second device at about 9:30 a.m.

-There were two bombs total, one that killed the man early this morning and one that the bomb squad detonated later on.

-Those who live near the school are still not being allowed back to their homes at this time. The bomb squad will determine when it is is safe.

Earlier this morning, the Chicago Breaking News Center interviewed people at the scene, including Evanston Alderman Donald Wilson.

"It was pretty gruesome," Wilson told the News Center. "My impression is as a (civilian), not an investigator, it would seem as if it was some kind of suicide situation..."

Read the News Center's full story here.

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Earlier:

A decapitated body was found outside Nichols Middle School early this morning. The school will be closed for the day.

"The only thing that I know is that at body was found outside the school," said District 65 Communications Director Pat Markham. "The streets are blocked off and we've closed Nichols school today. This happened about an hour and a half before school started."

Evanston Patch is heading to the scene now and will post updates as they happen. Follow us on Twitter for the latest updates.