Suspicious package prompts evacuation at federal building in downtown San Antonio

A report of a suspicious package Wednesday afternoon at a downtown federal building across the street from Alamo Plaza resulted in at least three people being detained, street closures and the detonation of the parcel.

According to law enforcement sources, three foreign nationals attempted to mail what staff flagged as a suspicious package at the post office inside the Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in the 600 block of East Houston Street.

In a news conference Wednesday, San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus said the package was flagged after it went through the building’s X-ray machine. He couldn’t specify what was suspicious about the package, noting this is a federal case and SAPD is serving as a support agency.

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Debris flies skyward as bomb experts detonated a suspicious package after three men were arrested at the Hipolito Garcia Federal Building and United States Courthouse in downtown on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Streets were blocked off by law enforcement as they determined the nature of the package. After about an hour after the arrests were made, a loud explosion echoed throughout the Alamo Plaza as the suspicious item was detonated. FBI investigators as well as other federal law enforcement officials were on the scene to further investigate the incident. No one was harmed or injured at the scene. less Debris flies skyward as bomb experts detonated a suspicious package after three men were arrested at the Hipolito Garcia Federal Building and United States Courthouse in downtown on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. ... more Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 84 Caption Close Suspicious package prompts evacuation at federal building in downtown San Antonio 1 / 84 Back to Gallery

Law enforcement were called in to investigate, and several downtown streets around Alamo Plaza were closed in the process.

At around 4:30 p.m., three men could be seen being led out of the courthouse in handcuffs.

“Three individuals were stopped (in connection with) a suspected explosive device,” McManus said. “Those individuals are being spoken to right now by the Joint Terrorism Task Force.”

McManus, who couldn’t confirm nor deny the nationalities of the three men, said the package ended up not being explosive.

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Officials detonated the package and several bangs could be heard outside the federal building at about 5 p.m., including one blast that was heard at least two blocks away.

Minutes later, officers could be seen on Alamo Street next to the federal building looking over debris. Authorities have determined the package did not contain explosives.

George Calero was inside the federal building for a Medical Evaluation Board conference before he was asked to evacuate the building.

Calero, who is staying in a hotel across the street from the building, said he felt the walls shaking when officials detonated the package.

The FBI is leading the investigation. Homeland Security agents, the SAPD and the SAPD bomb squad also took part.

SAPD, which provided “perimeter security,” according to a news release, had asked people in shops around the area to go inside and close the doors before the package was detonated.

In addition, Alamo Rangers coordinated with law enforcement agencies to secure the grounds of the Alamo and to keep those in the area safe, according to a news release from the Texas General Land office, which oversees the landmark.

“I want to thank local San Antonio Police Department officers, Homeland Security agents, the San Antonio Fire Department and Alamo Rangers who responded quickly to reports today of potential suspicious packages in the area adjacent to the Alamo Complex. The area was secured, streets were closed to traffic and visitors, staff and other individuals in the area were escorted to secure areas for their safety,” GLO Commissioner George P. Bush said in a statement.

“Securing the Shrine of Texas Liberty and those who visit is a top priority and we continue to work with our partners to protect the site,” he added.

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