A bomb threat abruptly emptied the federal courthouse on New Bern Avenue in downtown Raleigh on Wednesday morning, forcing an evacuation and temporary closure as officers locked down the block and pushed people back from the building.
According to WRAL, the shutdown began around 9:45 a.m. as dozens of Raleigh police officers converged outside the courthouse and investigators moved inside to sweep the facility. WRAL crews on scene reported officers staging along New Bern Avenue while the response unfolded. Officials had not immediately released any details about the source of the threat.
Where The Lockdown Hit
The building at the center of the scare is the Terry Sanford Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, which houses the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. According to the Eastern District of North Carolina, the courthouse sits at 310 New Bern Avenue and its website provides visitor guidance along with clerk’s office contact information. Anyone with a scheduled hearing or jury duty is advised to check the court’s online notices or call the clerk for the most current updates.
Traffic, Court Dockets Thrown Off
Court calendars and downtown traffic alike were knocked off balance as the investigation played out. WRAL reported that nearby streets around the courthouse were blocked to vehicles and that drivers were urged to find alternate routes until the area could be cleared. Federal and local law enforcement partners typically take the lead on assessing threats at courthouses and will decide when it is safe to reopen the building. This story will be updated as officials release additional information.
How Officials Treat Bomb Threats
Bomb threats, including hoaxes, have disrupted courts elsewhere in North Carolina in recent months. In January, an evacuation at the New Hanover County Courthouse was later cleared after a reported threat, according to WECT. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District has previously brought criminal charges in cases involving mailed bomb threat hoaxes, highlighting that even false threats can lead to serious federal penalties, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Officials said anyone with information connected to Wednesday’s incident should contact the Raleigh Police Department.
