Austin's South Congress Avenue was on high alert Thursday after a possible “hazardous device” was found, prompting an investigation by the Austin Police Department (APD) and its Bomb Squad. The concerning item was spotted near the intersection with Wasson Road in the city’s southern sector, an area typically throbbing with both locals and tourists.
UPDATE: The item was confirmed to not be an explosive device and was rendered safe. The scene is now clear. This was an isolated incident and there's no further threat to the general public. https://t.co/gpifzn0xLc
— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) April 25, 2024
As the sun beat down on the pavement, the APD alerted citizens to steer clear of the scene, marking off an invisible perimeter for both safety and procedural necessity. According to KXAN, the situation unfolded just north of Stassney Lane. Commuters found themselves confronted with delays, as law enforcement urged the public to find alternate routes to circumvent the area.
The device was first identified sometime after 1:30 p.m., but the details surrounding its discovery remain shrouded in the everyday happenings of a bustling city. "Bomb Squad is investigating the device," an APD spokesperson said, as reported by KVUE. This heightened state of alert underscored a tension that gripped the area, winding tightly around the rhythm of the city.
