DeKalb County

DeKalb County courthouse cleared after suspicious package found

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Traffic around the DeKalb County courthouse came to a stop Tuesday morning as a bomb squad and a police dog investigated a suspicious package

Nearly 100 people had to wait behind crime scene tape at the courthouse as crews secured the package.

“We heard there was a suspicious package in front of the courthouse,” said Julie Still, who was serving on a jury at the courthouse.

Deputies told Channel 2's Kristen Holloway the bomb squad and K-9 units did not find anything inside the package and reopened the courthouse about two hours later.

“I’m glad they had our safety in mind and kept us all out. They had the whole area roped off, so that was great,” juror Peter Chakalea said.

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Still told Holloway she was thankful deputies took the situation seriously.

“It’s very scary. You don’t want to walk into a building with a bomb,” Still said.

Deputies also shut down several roads around the courthouse for hours, causing traffic delays.

“It’s absolutely frightening, but this is America today, apparently, so I’m glad they’re watching out for us,” Chakalea said.

After the evacuation, things quickly got back on schedule at the courthouse.

Officials told jurors to expect to have a full day in court despite the evacuation.