Atlanta Bomb Threat: Downtown On Lockdown [Breaking]
A bomb threat in Atlanta forced the downtown area into lockdown as the bomb squad investigates. Just after 4 a.m. this morning a heavy police presence was evident in the area of Underground Atlanta. Witnesses are now reporting hearing an explosion. Fox News breaking reports indicate that the sounds likely stem from the bomb squad detonating the unknown package or device spotted in the congested area.
Police officials in Atlanta told the local media that members of the bomb squad were called to search a vehicle containing a suspicious package, according to local WSB Radio. The “suspicious device” was located in a vehicle on Pryor Street, according to Atlanta Police Sergeant Greg Lyon. Residents have been asked to avoid Decatur, Wall and Pryor Streets, as well as Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to avoid traffic congestion.
#Atlanta police bomb squad working with a suspicious car near underground – http://t.co/UZxJtCHjgV @ajc pic.twitter.com/xWw2X1GIef
— John Spink (@johnjspink) June 17, 2014
A total of five buildings were evacuated in downtown Atlanta. The evacuation included health and judicial buildings, which are located directly across from the capitol building. The driver of the white SUV where the suspicious device believed to possibly be a bomb was found, is now in custody, according to news reports from Atlanta media.
Bomb threat over in Downtown. Driver of SUV in custody. Roads still closed around Underground Atlanta #wsbtv
— Steve Gehlbach (@SteveGWSB) June 17, 2014
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal had this to say to 11 Alive News as he evacuated from his office:
“We have emergency measures in place to deal with these type of threats. They are regrettable when they occur but, it is always a relief when you find out they [threats] are false, and I hope that is the case here today. But they are costly in terms of loss of time, and inconvenience of those who have to evacuate their buildings, but it’s something that, we live in a world where this happens. We just have to be prepared as possible and always have to prepare for the worst. Our law enforcement agencies react appropriately.”
Check back with The Inquisitr for more details on this breaking news story as more information becomes available.
