Suspicious bags placed on statues at state Capitol

ATLANTA — Police are investigating after items were found on two statues at the Georgia State Capitol building before sunrise Monday morning causing the area to shut down.

The capitol building is located on Washington Street in downtown Atlanta.

Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach was there as a member of APD's bomb squad used pinchers to pluck a small bag from the statue's palm then carefully place it on the ground.

Capitol police soon found several other identical items around the capitol, one on a statue that was on the opposite side of the building.

They confirmed that objects were placed on two statues, one of them the Carter statue, outside the capitol.

Police said the items were not explosive.

Police and firefighters investigated and blocked all roads around the capitol Monday morning as authorities investigated.

All roads have since reopened.

"Even if it's nothing, which I'm sure it is, I really don't feel comfortable seeing a bomb squad car parked right in front of my office building," Bonnie McClurd said.

Authorities are still working to determine what was in the bags and why someone would leave them there.

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Police said there has been no determination about whether it was a prank and that there were no notes left or anyone who took responsibility.

The senator says he feels safe working in the capitol, but understands the risks and heightened security.

Police said authorities are taking the incident seriously.

Cox Media Group