On Monday morning, the Arizona Supreme Court and several adjacent state buildings in Phoenix were evacuated following the discovery of a suspicious package containing explosive materials. The package was located around 8 a.m. in the mailroom of the Supreme Court building, leading to a significant law enforcement operation.
As a precaution, the Arizona Department of Public Safety evacuated multiple state facilities, including the Arizona State Courts building, the Department of Education, the Attorney General's Office, and the Department of Administration. Bomb technicians were deployed to evaluate and neutralize the threat. The suspicious package was found to contain multiple vials, two of which tested positive for an "unspecified homemade explosive substance," as reported by the New York Post.
"It doesn't feel good when it gets to your workplace... it's unfortunate that it reached the Arizona Supreme Court, where we had to have this evacuation." - Alberto Rodriguez, Arizona Supreme Court Communications Director
Authorities did not hesitate to act upon this discovery. State employees were kept away while specialized units managed the situation. Witnesses saw a bomb technician in full protective gear removing the package from the Supreme Court Building. The package was then placed into a Mobile Explosive Containment Vessel designed to contain potential explosions and escorted by a police motorcade to a secure location for safe detonation.
Throughout the incident, there were no injuries among state employees, law enforcement, or the public. The rapid response by authorities ensured the safety of those working at or visiting the affected government facilities. The all-clear was given at approximately 3:30 p.m., allowing employees to return after an evacuation lasting over seven hours.
While the immediate threat was resolved, the situation leaves many questions unanswered. Officials have yet to disclose the original delivery date of the package or its origin. Additionally, there has been no indication of suspects identified in connection with the incident.
Alberto Rodriguez, communications director with the Arizona Supreme Court, provided insight into the employee experience during the evacuation. He expressed the unease felt when such threats hit close to home, stating, "You hear about it all the time, but it's unfortunate that it reached the Arizona Supreme Court, where we had to have this evacuation."
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges and risks faced by public institutions regarding security threats and the importance of preparedness and swift action in safeguarding public safety.
