Alex Murdaugh double murder trial is EVACUATED after bomb threat
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Alex Murdaugh double murder trial EVACUATED after bomb threat as fire trucks and police cars rush toward Colleton County courthouse
- Lawyers, press and members of the public were seen leaving the Colleton County Courthouse as police cars and fire trucks poured into the building.
- Police confirmed that a bomb threat was made to court staff and the threat is under investigation. No further information was given
- The prison van transporting Murdaugh to and from the courthouse was seen leaving the area, however it is unclear if he was in the vehicle.
Alex Murdaugh’s trial has been dramatically evacuated after a bomb threat.
Lawyers, media and members of the public were seen leaving the Colleton County Courthouse as police cars and fire trucks invaded the building in Walterboro, South Carolina around 12:30 pm EST.
Police confirmed that a bomb threat was made to court staff and that it is under investigation. No further information was given.
The black prison van transporting Murdaugh to and from the courthouse was seen leaving the area, however it is unclear if the suspected killer was in the vehicle.
Authorities ordered everyone to cross the street and multiple paths around the courthouse were blocked.
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Lawyers, press and members of the public were seen leaving the Colleton County courthouse as police cars and fire trucks poured into the building in Walterboro, South Carolina.
A police vehicle arrives at the scene after a bomb threat was made.
Alex Murdaugh and his attorney Jim Griffin shortly after learning the courthouse needed to be evacuated.
Police cars and trucks are seen at the scene as members of the public, staff and attorneys gather outside.
A police officer entered the courthouse moments before the evacuation and signaled to the judge, who immediately dispatched the jury.
Confusion spread through the courtroom as court clerk Becky Hill and a police officer opened the back doors, which are usually locked.
Judge Clifton Newman interrupted testimony just before 12:30 pm and announced that the building needed to be evacuated without explaining why.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have to evacuate the building right now, so we’ll be on recess until we figure out what’s going on,” he said.
A statement from the South Carolina Division of Law Enforcement said: “Personnel at the Colleton County Courthouse received a bomb threat.
The building has been evacuated and SLED along with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the threat.
“There is no additional information available from SLED at this time.”
Police have closed two lanes of northbound traffic on North Jefferies Boulevard. A block of Washington Street directly behind the courthouse has also been blocked off for vehicles.
The sidewalks on either side of the courthouse on Hampton Street have also been cordoned off for pedestrians.
Police officers outside the courthouse after it was evacuated around 12:30 p.m. EST
Police cars invaded the building in Walterboro, South Carolina
People outside court after Judge Clifton Newman announced the building needed to be cleared
A statement from the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office said: “The Colleton Sheriff’s Office urges citizens to use an alternate route of travel and will update traffic conditions as necessary.”
People were anxious as they came down the stairs to get out of the building and people yelled ‘go slow’ so no one would get hurt on the run.
In a quieter moment, an attendant yelled, “There are plenty of lawyers here if you fall.”
The double murder trial is in adjournment until at least 2:30 p.m., however proceedings will likely be adjourned for longer.
Murdaugh, 54, is accused of shooting his wife, Maggie, 52, and their youngest son, Paul, 22, on the night of June 7, 2021, at the family’s sprawling hunting lodge in Islandton, South Carolina.
The prosecution is still presenting its case in the trial that began three weeks ago.
Alex Murdaugh pictured with his wife Maggie and their two sons Paul (left) and Buster