Police evacuate Asheville federal courthouse after suspicious package found

[link to www.citizen-times.com]

from article...

A Citizen-Times reporter on the scene reported that around noon, a loud explosion was heard coming from the area of the breezeway between the courthouse and building.


After the explosion, the reporter saw a remote-controlled bomb unit robot in the breezeway, and officers were walking in and out of the federal building.

About 20 minutes after the explosion - at about 12:20 p.m. - officers at the scene began letting employees enter the federal building.


Police had closed Patton Avenue and Otis Street to traffic near the buildings.


Asheville Police Lt. Wally Welch said the explosion came from a police "disrupter," a shotgun-like tool that fired a blast of water into the bag. The bag contained clothing and other items along with a "cryptic" note that authorities believed was threatening.