Bomb threat still under investigation

Published 10:17 am Monday, February 23, 2015

The Elizabethton Police Department is still investigating the bomb threat called into Carter County Bank earlier this month.

“That is still under investigation, and there is no new information to be released,” EPD Chief Greg Workman said.

Workman could not say whether there were possible suspects or leads of new information in the case.

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The threat was called in on Feb. 2 at around 3:30 p.m. Someone called the bank’s main switchboard and said a bomb was on the premises at 601 E. Elk Ave.

Authorities were notified, and customers and employees were promptly evacuated from the property. Surrounding businesses were also evacuated, and police closed West Elk Avenue to through traffic. Pedestrian traffic was also limited in downtown near the bank office.

The EPD was assisted by the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department, who brought in a bomb-sniffing dog to search the bank offices. The scene was cleared at around 5 p.m.

The Village Branch of Carter County Bank at 800 E. Broad St. was also a part of the search. The Elizabethton Fire Department was sent to that branch. The office was evacuated over concerns the threat could have included that branch as well. The bomb-sniffing dog swept the building and it was cleared.