PHOENIX — Areas of a Phoenix military reserve base were evacuated on Thursday evening after a military grade explosive device was brought to the entrance of the base, authorities confirmed.

The Phoenix Police Department said the bomb squad was called to Papago Park Military Reservation near 56th Street and McDowell Road after a driver brought the device to the gate. Luke Air Force Base personnel were called in due to the nature of the device, police said.

Base personnel implemented threat emergency procedures, the base said.

Police said while McDowell Road has reopened, the immediate area around the reserve will remain closed.

The driver of the vehicle, a red SUV that was seen in Sky12 footage, was questioned at the scene.

'This is a total misunderstanding'

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