Columbus law enforcement give all-clear following bomb threat at Government Center

The Columbus Government Center was evacuated Thursday afternoon as law enforcement officials investigated a bomb threat to the building.

Authorities declared an all-clear at 2:20 p.m. after taking bomb-sniffing dogs through the complex at 100 10th St.

The threat was called into 911 at 12:51 p.m., according to the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff’s Maj. Joe McCrea said the caller claimed explosive devices within the building were set to go off in 20 minutes.

The building was evacuated of all personnel as multiple officers converged on the downtown block to seal off surrounding streets. Authorities asked people to stay away from the downtown area during the investigation.

This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 1:39 PM.

Tim Chitwood

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

706-571-8508

Tim Chitwood is from Seale, Alabama, and started as a police beat reporter with the Ledger-Enquirer in 1982. He since has covered Columbus’ serial killings and other homicides, following some from the scene of the crime to trial verdicts and ensuing appeals. He also has been a Ledger-Enquirer humor columnist since 1987. He’s a graduate of Auburn University, and started out working for the weekly Phenix Citizen in Phenix City, Ala.