Philadelphia City Hall cleared after unattended backpack found near City Council session
City Hall cleared after unattended backpack found near City Council session
Thousands of people were evacuated from Philadelphia City Hall on Thursday after a suspicious backpack triggered a major police response, according to police.
PHILADELPHIA - Thousands of people were evacuated from Philadelphia City Hall on Thursday after a suspicious backpack triggered a major police response, according to police.
The evacuation happened during the first City Council meeting back from summer recess.
Police response to suspicious backpack creates major disruption
What we know:
As councilmembers gathered Thursday morning to discuss city issues, staffers found an unattended backpack near City Council chambers and alerted law enforcement. Two Sheriff's K-9s trained to detect explosives marked the bag, prompting immediate action, police said.
"We want to evacuate the building at this moment," said Kenyatta Johnson, Philadelphia City Council President.
Police and sheriff's deputies began evacuating all employees and visitors from City Hall. "Nobody is in danger. The council was immediately evacuated once the Police Department gave us the word to do it," said Vince Thompson, Director of Communications for Kenyatta Johnson.
About an hour and a half after City Council reconvened, police say the backpack was found and the building was cleared. Police said the bomb squad examined the bag and discovered nothing hazardous inside. Within an hour, authorities gave the all-clear and City Council returned to session.
The backpack's owner, identified by surveillance video, was taken into custody and questioned at the scene, but police say he was not arrested or charged.
Investigation and security response
What they're saying:
Police say investigators inspected the bag and two K9 officers indicated on the bag, prompting the evacuation.
Officials explained that although the dogs marked the bag, it did not contain a weapon or explosive.
Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said investigators believe the bag might have carried residue from an item like a firearm or fireworks.
"Once a dog hits on it, that heightens our alert. So if a dog hits on it, that means there was some sort of material there that could cause harm to somebody, so of course we'll use all the cautions," Vanore said.
"I think the fire alarm was actively activated to get people out as quickly as possible, so the systems we had in place worked and got people out as quickly as possible to safety," Philadelphia's managing director Carlton Williams said.
"In today's society, you got to take everything really seriously. When the Council President made the announcement that we would have to leave the building, I think people took it serious," said Mark Squilla, Philadelphia City Councilmember.
Police said at this point they do not believe there was any intention to cause harm, and the man questioned about the backpack has not been charged.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not determined what specifically caused the K-9 officers to alert on the bag, and no firearm or explosives were found, police said.
The Source: Information in this article provided by Philadelphia Police and interviews and first-hand accounts from FOX 29's Chris O'Connell.