Police in Kentucky have declared downtown Louisville safe to travel in once again after finding and removing a suspicious device that was feared to be a bomb.
The public safety office MetroSafe received a report of a “suspicious package” on 5th Street near Jefferson and Market at 8:20 a.m., where the Louisville Metro Police Department found the device, which appeared to be a pipe with wires sticking out of it, the department told the Washington Examiner. By 1:35 p.m., LMPD Chief Erika Shields announced that the device had been deemed safe for transportation, and the FBI would be taking control of the investigation, according to WDRB.
SWAT police and LMPD Chief Erika Shields were also there, where a series of pipes labeled “bomb 1” and “bomb 2” had been found under a bus stop, according to WHAS11.
LMPD Chief Erika Shields now on scene in downtown Louisville, where SWAT is canvassing the area after a series of pipes labeled “bomb 1” and “bomb 2” were found under a bus stop. https://t.co/D7d22Rkzn2
— Shay McAlister (@ShayMcAlisterTV) August 12, 2022
“Investigators are examining the object and actively canvassing the area for any other potential threats,” an LMPD spokesperson told the Washington Examiner.
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Suspicious package found in downtown Louisville this morning; bomb squad on the scene. More info: https://t.co/phuEnORFCV pic.twitter.com/AOGrC8O5UA
— WHAS11 News (@WHAS11) August 12, 2022
The public was advised to avoid the area, and anyone who was in the area had been asked to shelter in place, the spokesperson said. In the early afternoon, traffic was allowed to resume in the area except for vehicle traffic on Jefferson between 4th and 5th, and the order to shelter in place was lifted, LMPD wrote on social media.
SUSPICIOUS DEVICE UPDATE:
All traffic can resume in the area with the exception of vehicle traffic on Jefferson between 4th to 5th. The shelter-in-place advisory has been lifted. Federal authorities will be taking over the investigation. pic.twitter.com/dRn96DwNjA— LMPD (@LMPD) August 12, 2022
A bomb squad was seen at the scene, and at least one robot had been sent in, according to WLKY. At least one building has been put on lockdown, the outlet reported.
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The LMPD rescheduled a graduation that was scheduled for Metro Hall, which is in the area, “out of an abundance of caution,” the spokesperson said.
