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 :
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)
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.
鈥淚 think any time there鈥檚 a suspicious cylinder laying on the steps of City Hall there is a threat and a concern and that鈥檚 why you see the first responders mobilized today,鈥� said Dotson.
Around 12:30 p.m. Mayor Slay .
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.
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD)
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)
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)
No specific threat or reason - written or verbal - found at this time.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie)
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)
St. Louis City Hall has been evacuated after suspicious package was found.
— Willis Arnold (@WillisRArnold)
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)
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)
"We're taking this very seriously. Cameras inside and outside of City Hall are being reviewed as we speak,"
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie)
One loud bang went off outside City Hall . No visible result as of yet, 9:53 am.
— Willis Arnold (@WillisRArnold)
Thank you to our talented and brave Bomb & Arson team. Suiting up to go look at bag and X-ray cylinders.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie)
Bomb & Arson officers working vigilantly to secure the scene at City Hall.
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD)
The suspicious bag is now secured by Bomb and Arson. Working on cylinders now.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie)
First cylinder secured.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie)
. advises that this cylinder is a CO2 tank. It's rendered safe.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie)
One of two cylinders located at City Hall. Bomb & Arson investigators have secured the device & are investigating.
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD)
Bomb and Arson now working on second canister. has also checked other bldgs downtown. No other suspicious pkgs found.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie)
Before City Hall employees will be able to return to work, will sweep the inside and outside of the building.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie)
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)
Second canister also rendered safe. Like the first one, it was a CO2 tank. All packages secured and cleared.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie)
No threat, no reason - verbal or written - discovered at this point.
— Maggie Crane (@newsformaggie)