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Police used a robot to safely remove the explosive device.

AUSTIN — The FBI confirmed Thursday that a suspicious package found outside an Austin women's clinic was an explosive device.

Austin police, firefighters, the FBI and the ATF responded after the package was found at the Austin Women’s Health Center in the 1900 block of South Interstate 35. The clinic offers abortion services.

The discovery was made around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday when a clinic employee found what she believed was a suspicious package sitting in the parking lot.

The FBI confirmed that a suspicious package found outside a women's health clinic in South Austin was explosive.

“The bomb squad was called and they examined the package,” said Austin police spokesperson Toni Chovanetz.

Investigators found an explosive powder inside. Chovanetz adds that the device would have caused serious injury or death had it functioned.

The device brought out the Homeland Defense Team, made up of Austin police and the Austin Fire Department. The team began a field analysis in hopes of determining exactly what they were dealing with.

Residents from a nearby apartment complex were evacuated for several hours Wednesday night as the package was investigated.

At one point, four lanes of southbound I-35 were shut down.

Austin police urged residents to stay alert for suspicious activity or packages and to alert authorities if necessary.