The Arizona Supreme Court and several nearby government buildings were evacuated after authorities discovered a suspicious package containing what officials described as “homemade explosives.”
The incident occurred at approximately 8 a.m. local time on Monday, Jan. 5, when the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) was alerted to a package received at the court’s mailroom. After testing the contents, authorities determined that the package contained multiple vials filled with homemade explosive substances, according to local outlet ABC 15.
A letter sent to court employees stated that “a suspicious package was received by our mailroom and has tested positive for homemade explosives,” ABC 15 reported.
Following the discovery, law enforcement evacuated multiple buildings located along the Capitol Mall in downtown Phoenix. These included the State Courts Building, which houses both the Arizona Supreme Court and the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One.
“The State Courts Building remains closed as additional sweeps are taking place,” DPS Public Information Officer Bart Graves said in a statement. “Once that process is completed, the package will be removed for further examination and then subsequent disposal.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) confirmed that agents from its Phoenix field office were dispatched to assist in the investigation. In a post shared on X, the agency said it was responding to “a suspicious substance found at the location.”
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs also addressed the situation in a public statement, thanking first responders for their swift action. “Public safety is my top priority,” Hobbs wrote. “I will continue to monitor this situation closely and ensure Arizonans stay informed.”
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident. Officials have not yet disclosed how the package was delivered, whether anyone handled it before authorities were notified, or the exact size of the package.
Court officials said operations are expected to resume as normal on Tuesday, Jan. 6, pending the completion of safety checks.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not identified any suspects at this time.