The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Dept. Bomb Squad says a suspicious backpack left at the Charleston Marriott Tuesday morning contained no explosive devices.
Sheriff John Rutherford says Charleston police officers and bomb squad members approached the situation out of an abundance of caution after the backpack was reported at about 10 o’clock.
“When they (Marriott workers) looked in the top of the backpack there were screws and nails visible,” Rutherford said. “I think the whole country had a learning process this week and they understood quickly this was a suspicious package.”
Those in part of the Marriott were evacuated, nearby Charleston streets blocked off and a few close by Town Center Mall stores also had workers and patrons evacuated as the bomb squad moved in.
Sheriff Rutherford says the bomb squad used its robot to take the backpack apart.
“We were able to approach the item, see the nails and screws, but also ascertain the item was not dangerous,” he said.
The experts determined there was no threat. Rutherford says they would have handled the situation the same even if the bombings in Boston hadn’t happened.
“I think the public has been very well-educated lately. They did a good job notifying Charleston P.D. and Charleston P.D. and the sheriff’s department worked very well together to keep the situation safe, even though there wasn’t a threat,” Sheriff Rutherford said.
Charleston officers are investigating who is responsible for leaving the backpack there. The sheriff says surveillance video may be used.
Rutherford says having a bomb squad and the necessary equipment isn’t cheap. He says he’s thankful for the commitment of the county commission and county residents.