Police swarmed the block around Mayo Clinic’s downtown campus on Wednesday after a caller claimed explosives had been planted in the area. Officers swept nearby buildings, ramps, and garages, found nothing suspicious, and cleared the scene in roughly 50 minutes. There were no evacuations, and authorities said there was no danger to the public.
What the police said
Dispatch received a call shortly before 12:30 p.m. saying someone had placed explosives in downtown Rochester, according to KROC‑AM. Communications Coordinator Amanda Grayson told the station officers they quickly established a perimeter while investigators determined whether the threat was credible.
Where officers searched
Police set up a security perimeter from West Center Street to 2nd Street SW, between 1st Avenue SW and 3rd Avenue SW, an area that includes the Gonda and Mayo buildings, the Kahler and Marriott hotels, parking ramps, and nearby restaurants, KTTC reported. The outlet noted officers cleared the scene after roughly 50 minutes and said there was no known threat to the public.
On-the-ground response
An ABC 6 News crew in the area saw officers enter the Mayo Building and a K9 unit working outside the north side of the Gonda Building, KAAL reported. After searches of lobbies, garages and other high-traffic spaces, authorities reopened the zone and regular downtown activity resumed.
Part of a wider pattern
Rochester’s response came a day after the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office investigated a bomb threat at Star Transportation in Stewartville. Deputies evacuated neighboring businesses but found no suspicious devices in what turned out to be part of a wave of similar prank calls that reached multiple Minnesota locations, according to a bomb hoax panic in Stewartville.
What officials say now
Rochester police say the incident remains under investigation and ask anyone with information to contact the department, KROC‑AM reported. Investigators are reviewing call records and following leads while emphasizing there is still no known threat to residents or hospital patients.
