Two suspicious packages that set off alarm bells at Colorado gunman's former college campus turn out to be harmless

By Daniel Bates and Gavin Wilson

Published: 17:19 EDT, 23 July 2012 | Updated: 02:04 EDT, 24 July 2012

Police have revealed Monday evening that two suspicious packages that turned up at the University of Colorado's Aurora campus do not contain any explosives or other hazardous materials.

Bomb disposal teams in HazMat suits were called into with a robotic arm following the discovery of the two parcels at the Anschutz medical campus early Monday morning.

Students and employees were left 'terrified' when the alarm was sounded at 7am - only for the second alert to go out at 12.30pm.

Bomb scare: Police are investigating two bomb alerts at the former college of alleged Colorado gunman James Holmes

Disposal operation: Bomb disposal teams in HazMat suits were called into with a robotic arm following the discovery of two suspicious packages at the University of Colorado's Anschutz medical campus
Wary university officials summoned hazardous material experts, taking extra precautions after James Holmes - a former student at the school - was accused of gunning down 12 people and injuring 58 others at a movie theater and rigging his apartment with explosives.

Officials said one package was slipped under the door of a professor, who didn't recognize the sender. The other was in the campus mail system.

A robot was used to examine one. Officials haven't said what either contained. They say there is no evidence either was connected to Holmes, who had enrolled in a PhD program but was withdrawing.

The first alarm was sounded at UC - where Holmes was studying for a PhD in neuroscience until he dropped out - at around 7am when a package was reportedly found near the old Army hospital, known as Building 500.

Among other things, the medical building houses the campus Depression Center.

The university's website says it also houses 'doctor offices' and provides outpatient and 'specialized' services.

Robot: A robotic arm used for safety measures against the suspicious packages was seen outside the campus today; it has not been confirmed that the suspect packages were sent from Holmes

Sources said because the package was found before the start of the working day, the building did not need to be evacuated.

But staff who turned up to work found themselves having to wait outside until they were given the all-clear.

Police, fire crews, campus security and a HazMat team were all seen entering and leaving the building.

Suspect: James Holmes, 24, appeared in court today, suspected of Friday's shooting that left 12 people dead and 58 others injured at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora

One staff member who works in the building told the MailOnline: 'It's absolutely terrifying given the events of the last few days.

'We were told that a suspicious package had been found in the building's mailroom. I don't know if it was an envelope or a package, or something else.

'Everyone was speculating that it had been sent to the university by James Holmes.

'Everybody is very jumpy and fearful right now.'

Employees were let back into the building at around 11.30am after being told there was no immediate threat.

Another employee added: 'It's a relief. This whole thing has everybody pretty spooked.'

But less than an hour later, reports began to emerge of a second suspicious package having been sent to the university, this time to the Campus Services building, on the corner of E 19th Place and Victor St.

Two firetrucks, a HazMat truck and a bomb disposal robot were seen at the scene, along with dozens of police officers.

The street was blocked off as a team investigated the threat.

As of 1.15pm local time on Monday those crews were still on scene.

Police say Holmes is a skilled bomb maker who 'booby trapped' his apartment with trip wires attached to explosives which would have killed any cops or firemen who would have been the most likely to enter.

Investigation: Two firetrucks, a HazMat truck and a bomb disposal robot were seen at the scene, along with dozens of police officers

Terrified: Students and employees were left 'terrified' when the alarm was sounded at 7am - only for the second alert to go out at 12.30pm

Holmes is said to have rigged up his stereo to play loud music at the time he was carrying out his slaughter in an attempt to lure them in where they would have met their deaths.

Bomb disposal officers have carried out a controlled explosion and made the apartment safe but Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates has said he has never seen anything like what is inside.

Along with the tripwires, Holmes' apartment appears to have three types of explosives - jars filled with accelerants, chemicals that would explode when mixed together and more than 30 'improvised grenades.'

James Holmes was studying for a phd in neuroscience at the University of Colorado's Anschutz medical campus in Aurora

When the substances were taken to a remote location and detonated under controlled conditions they caused a huge explosion which sent clouds of black smoke into the sky.

Residents in Holmes' apartment block have still not been allowed back into their homes, though they have been allowed to collect personal items under supervision.

A spokesperson for the Anschutz campus did not return calls.