STOCKTON, Calif. — A security scare at the San Joaquin County Superior Court led to a brief evacuation Tuesday morning after an individual issued verbal threats near the court's security checkpoint. The incident, which began around 9:30 a.m., prompted an immediate response from the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, including the detention of the individual involved and the deployment of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.
Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, confirmed that the EOD team's thorough search revealed no suspicious devices. Following the all-clear, court operations on Weber Avenue resumed normal activities by early afternoon, after approximately 300 people were evacuated from the building.
"The courthouse has been cleared and normal business is proceeding," Brent updated, indicating that while the investigation into the incident continues, there has been no immediate threat to public safety following the initial scare. Details about the individual responsible and the specific nature of the threats have not been disclosed.
Erica Ochoa, a court spokesperson, noted that court operations were temporarily disrupted but were fully operational again by 1 p.m. after reopening to the public at noon. She assured that no injuries were reported due to the incident and that court dates for those affected by the evacuation would be rescheduled individually.
The sheriff's office advised the public to avoid the area temporarily and expects to provide further updates as more information becomes available. This incident underscores the effectiveness of the emergency protocols in place, which ensured that the situation was handled swiftly and safely, allowing for a quick return to normalcy at the courthouse.