Chaos in Phoenix: Arizona Supreme Court Evacuated After ‘Homemade Explosives’ Package Found
A routine Monday morning in downtown Phoenix turned into a high-stakes security crisis yesterday as the Arizona Supreme Court building was dramatically evacuated following the discovery of a suspicious package containing what authorities described as “homemade explosives.”
The alarm was first raised at approximately 8 a.m. local time when staff at the State Courts Building, home to the Supreme Court and the state Court of Appeals, flagged a suspicious item in the facility’s mailroom. It didn’t take long for the situation to escalate. Law enforcement quickly determined the package contained multiple vials, and initial field tests on two of those vials came back positive for an unspecified homemade explosive substance.
By 10:30 a.m., court staff were instructed to leave the building, and the entire structure was evacuated as a precaution. The security perimeter quickly expanded, encompassing other critical government buildings in the Capitol Mall area. Neighboring offices, including the State Department of Education and the Attorney General’s Office, were also cleared as a safety measure while a full sweep of the area commenced.
The scene rapidly drew a large multi-agency response. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) took the lead in the investigation, coordinating with the Phoenix Police Department and specialized hazardous-materials units. The federal government’s involvement was highlighted by the presence of agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), underscoring the serious nature of the threat.
Sources close to the investigation reported that the suspicious parcel was particularly troubling because it lacked a return address, a common red flag for mailroom security. Fortunately, the court was not in session at the time of the discovery, minimizing the number of people who needed to be ushered out of the facility.
Later in the afternoon, bomb squad personnel were able to safely remove the package. A DPS spokesperson confirmed the package was placed in a secure vehicle and driven away from the downtown area for further examination and eventual disposal.
While the immediate threat to the building was resolved, the incident has left a lingering chill. Authorities have not yet released any information on who may have sent the package, what their motive might have been, or if the contents were part of a device intended to detonate. The ongoing investigation will now focus on tracing the package’s origins and determining whether the material was indeed a viable explosive.
This stark reminder of the security challenges facing public institutions ensures that court operations and all nearby state offices will be facing heightened security protocols in the days and weeks to come as officials work to bring clarity and accountability to this disturbing situation. For now, law enforcement asks the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as the investigation continues.