CATASAUQUA, Pa. — Hours after someone threw an explosive device out of a vehicle near a borough polling place, state police said they have no evidence the incident was related to Tuesday's ongoing primary election.
Authorities said in a news release the device detonated about half a block away and around the corner from the entrance to Salem United Church of Christ on the 600 block of Third Street around 9:15 a.m. No one was injured.
Parts of Third Street remain closed to traffic as local, state and federal officials continue to investigate the case. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information about the detonation is asked to call state police at 610-861-2026.
Earlier in the day, Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel acknowledged the incident but stressed that voting has continued on site.
Locals were being directed to the church through an alternate entrance so as not to interfere with the investigation.
"Voters can be confident that all levels of government and law enforcement are working together to ensure that polling places here in Lehigh County and across the commonwealth remain safe."Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel
"We trust in the expertise of the local, state and federal investigators on hand to determine what happened," Siegel said in a statement.
"Voters can be confident that all levels of government and law enforcement are working together to ensure that polling places here in Lehigh County and across the commonwealth remain safe."
Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said in a statement that officials are monitoring the situation for safety and election law compliance, but offered no other details.
The incident occurred as voters head to the polls for the midterm primaries.
While Republican voters have few draws — the only contested race on local ballots is for lieutenant governor — Democratic voters will select a candidate in the hyper-competitive 7th Congressional District.
The seat is among the few toss-up House districts in the nation, which has drawn national attention to the contest.
The winner of the Democratic primary is expected to face Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie, who is unopposed in the GOP primary.
