Allegheny County Courthouse evacuated after bomb threat

PITTSBURGH — The Allegheny County Courthouse was evacuated “out of an abundance of caution” after a bomb threat Monday, Allegheny County Communications Director Amie Downs told Channel 11.

Downs said an anonymous call came in Monday morning that there was a bomb inside the courthouse. About 250 people were forced to evacuate.

Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus said about half a dozen bomb-sniffing K9s were brought in to inspect the building.

They did not find anything and after about 90 minutes investigating, authorities deemed the building safe.

Employees were then allowed to file back inside followed by community members with appointments and scheduled court appearances.

“We’re happy that we’re able to come together and be as quick, but as thorough as we possibly can to maintain the safety of not only the courthouse, but everybody that’s inside the courthouse,” Krauss said.

Sheriffs office detectives are now trying to figure out who called in the bomb threat. When they do, that person will face charges.

BREAKING: Allegheny County Courthouse has been evacuated. Officials report that an anonymous caller phoned in a bomb threat earlier this morning. Police are sweeping the area, but a spokespersons says they don’t expect to find anything and hope to let people back in soon. @WPXI pic.twitter.com/RtUJ7hMH6S
— Pete DeLuca WPXI (@PeteDeLucaTV) August 15, 2022