This is a developing story and will be updated. (Last updated 12:56 p.m.)
Several suspicious packages were found at St. Louis City Hall in downtown St. Louis Tuesday morning.
Around 11 a.m. St. Louis Metropolitan Police said the devices had all been secured:
The suspicious devices have been secured and officers are working to ensure the area around City Hall is safe. The investigation continues.
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) April 21, 2015
No other suspicious packages were found after police completed a sweep of other buildings downtown, according to Maggie Crane, spokeswoman for St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. Crane also said no threat or reason, verbal or written, was discovered.
St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson said the investigation was still necessary.
“I think any time there’s a suspicious cylinder laying on the steps of City Hall there is a threat and a concern and that’s why you see the first responders mobilized today,” said Dotson.
Around 12:30 p.m. Mayor Slay said City Hall had reopened.
Here's a close-up look at one of the devices:
One of two cylinders located at City Hall. Bomb & Arson investigators have secured the device & are investigating. pic.twitter.com/rb8R0Uc3RG
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) April 21, 2015
Here's how things have developed this morning (earlier tweets first):
A suspicious pkg has been found near City Hall. Emergency crews are taking utmost precautions in closing City Hall until situation is clear.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie) April 21, 2015
A second, similar cylinder and a bag have been discovered at 3 entrances to City Hall, which remains closed while emergency crews work.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie) April 21, 2015
No specific threat or reason - written or verbal - found at this time.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie) April 21, 2015
A City marshal was alerted to the first cylinder on the south side of City Hall, which prompted evacuations. Very few employees were inside.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie) April 21, 2015
St. Louis City Hall has been evacuated after suspicious package was found. pic.twitter.com/fTgtgoUjm4
— Willis Arnold (@WillisRArnold) April 21, 2015
Chief Dotson says people nearby City Hall can expect a loud bang as part of the suspicious package examination. Didn't clarify exactly when.
— Willis Arnold (@WillisRArnold) April 21, 2015
Chief Dotson says people nearby City Hall can expect a loud bang as part of the suspicious package examination. Didn't clarify exactly when.
— Willis Arnold (@WillisRArnold) April 21, 2015
"We're taking this very seriously. Cameras inside and outside of City Hall are being reviewed as we speak," @MayorSlay
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie) April 21, 2015
One loud bang went off outside City Hall . No visible result as of yet, 9:53 am.
— Willis Arnold (@WillisRArnold) April 21, 2015
Thank you to our talented and brave Bomb & Arson team. Suiting up to go look at bag and X-ray cylinders. pic.twitter.com/xr242DucFG
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie) April 21, 2015
Bomb & Arson officers working vigilantly to secure the scene at City Hall. pic.twitter.com/s2Cohd4ACc
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) April 21, 2015
The suspicious bag is now secured by Bomb and Arson. Working on cylinders now.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie) April 21, 2015
First cylinder secured. pic.twitter.com/mKGV5w7Jk2
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie) April 21, 2015
.@CFDstlfd advises that this cylinder is a CO2 tank. It's rendered safe. pic.twitter.com/mitLCTol91
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie) April 21, 2015
One of two cylinders located at City Hall. Bomb & Arson investigators have secured the device & are investigating. pic.twitter.com/rb8R0Uc3RG
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) April 21, 2015
Bomb and Arson now working on second canister. @SLMPD has also checked other bldgs downtown. No other suspicious pkgs found.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie) April 21, 2015
Before City Hall employees will be able to return to work, @SLMPD will sweep the inside and outside of the building.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie) April 21, 2015
The suspicious devices have been secured and officers are working to ensure the area around City Hall is safe. The investigation continues.
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) April 21, 2015
Second canister also rendered safe. Like the first one, it was a CO2 tank. All packages secured and cleared.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie) April 21, 2015
No threat, no reason - verbal or written - discovered at this point.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie) April 21, 2015