News

Actions

Evacuation at Cedar City Walmart lifted after bomb squad responds

Posted at 3:19 PM, Nov 05, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-05 21:33:00-05

UPDATE: Police confirmed at 5:53 p.m. that the bomb squad has determined there is no threat in the suspect’s motor home.

Emergency units are now leaving the scene, and officers are in the process of re-opening traffic in the area.

The evacuation of the Walmart has also been lifted and regular operations are resuming.

Cedar City Police later stated they feel the suspect was “in a mental health crisis and we do not believe there was any criminal intent.” No charges will be filed in the case.

Cedar Police thanked the St. George Bomb Squad for their expertise and timely response as well as the owner of Anytime Taxi, who they say responded on his own to shuttle people away from the scene for free.

Previous story continues below:

CEDAR CITY, Utah — Cedar City Police have taken two people into custody and have evacuated a Walmart and the surrounding area after a bomb threat Sunday.

Dispatch says the Walmart at 1330 South Providence Center was evacuated after a call came into police around 2:32 p.m.

Police say two people in an RV in the parking lot were arguing when an employee approached them and asked them to leave. One of the people replied that he was tired of being harassed and said he had a bomb in the RV.

The employee went inside and reported the incident to a manager, who called police. Responding officers took the two people into custody, and authorities evacuated the Walmart and the surrounding area as a precaution.

Cedar Police stated, “the possibility of [the bomb threat] being real is remote, but we have the bomb squad coming from Saint George to make sure. We are asking you to stay away from the area until it is clear.”

There are no reports of injury associated with the incident.

Traffic is being re-routed north and south at the intersection of Cross Hollows eastbound, just west of the Walmart, police stated. Authorities expected the bomb squad to arrive from St. George around 4 p.m.