‘Suspicious package’ forces evacuation of Charlotte police HQ
Police headquarters in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina, have been evacuated due to a possible bomb threat. A bomb squad has been requested at the scene as authorities investigate a suspicious package.
Capt. Mike Campagna held a press conference where he explained that an employee working in the mailroom came across the suspicious package and alerted her supervisors. A canine bomb dog alerted its authorities that the package needed further investigation. It has since been removed from the police department and taken to a secure location where it can be assessed. Everyone was reported to be safe following the evacuation.
Campagna told reporters that this was the first time he knew of that the department has been evacuated due to a threat.
The robot is slowly lowering the suspicious package into the secure capsule @wsoctvpic.twitter.com/jgXbrHH9kE
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) September 27, 2016
Bomb squad still @cmpd HQ investigating suspicious package.
— CMPD News (@CMPD) September 27, 2016
A bomb squad, as well as the Charlotte Fire Department are both presently working at the scene.
Bomb robot, crews in tactical gear on scene. We're awaiting an update from police on the bomb threat at CMPD HQ @wsoctvpic.twitter.com/eeole0s8Bd
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) September 27, 2016
On the scene @CMPD HQ where a bomb threat has cleared the building. Working to get more details. #WCCB#cltnewspic.twitter.com/ra7bZfWrQG
— Will Kennedy (@willkennedynews) September 27, 2016
A 911 call center has also been evacuated, traffic anchor for Good Day Charlotte on FOX46, Chuck Roads, reported via Twitter. The streets around the police headquarters have reportedly been cordoned off.
ALERT: CMPD 911 communications are now evacuating as well. Do not call 911 unless it's a true EMERGENCY. #clt#clttraffic#Charlotte
— Chuck Roads (@ChuckRoadsFox46) September 27, 2016
Several blocks of uptown Charlotte have been shut down as a result of the bomb threat.
Streetcar service has been suspended because of the bomb threat at CMPD HQ
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) September 27, 2016
Media moved back for #cmpd bomb squad to remove suspicious package, traffic backed up E Trade closed off bt Caldwell, Davidson #WCCBpic.twitter.com/Q4NV9T9Twz
— Amy Cowman (@amywccb) September 27, 2016
.@wsoctv several blocks of uptown Charlotte are shut down because of a bomb threat at Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department pic.twitter.com/ky1qhsKqAh
— Sean (@SeanWSOC9) September 27, 2016
DETAILS TO FOLLOW
NOW: This is traffic one block from CMPD HQ as bomb squad investigates there. @wsoctvpic.twitter.com/th1MEWr9CC
— Liz Foster (@lizfosterWSOC9) September 27, 2016
911 calls which are usually answered at CMPD headquarters are being re-routed to a backup center.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police headquarters on East Trade Street in uptown Charlotte was evacuated shortly after 4:30pm after a suspicious package was discovered in the mailroom, local Channel 9 news reports. Bomb robots and sniffer dogs are reportedly at the scene
The bomb threat did little to deter protesters, who continued their demonstration nearby.
.@wsoctv small group of protesters has arrived at Intersection of Caldwell and Trade Streets pic.twitter.com/gfomZhvvem
— Sean (@SeanWSOC9) September 27, 2016
Protestors now outside CMPD. No word on whether or not they know if bomb squad evacuating due to suspicious package. @FOX46Newspic.twitter.com/KhNcySBPV1
— David Sentendrey (@DavidFox46) September 27, 2016
Protesters yelling at @CMPD as they investigate bomb threat at police headquarters. Lots going on here with roads shut down @TWCNewsCLTpic.twitter.com/Dpjk0gwV6r
— Litsa Pappas (@LitsaPappas) September 27, 2016
Protesters have left after yelling at police and media for about 30 minutes @wsoctvpic.twitter.com/s7YbG5lAIt
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) September 27, 2016
We could see a bomb robot in between CMPD HQ and the parking garage. Police are ordering officers to turn their radios off @wsoctvpic.twitter.com/SCe0T8nO2Y
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) September 27, 2016
Tensions between the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the public have been on the rise, with a week of protests having taken place over the high-profile shooting of Keith Lamont Scott. While the demonstrations were largely peaceful, skirmishes between police and protesters broke out and some officers were injured. Additionally, one protester was killed at Wednesday's demonstration and another attendee was arrested in relation to his death.
