Investigators have determined the bomb threat that shut down the Cedar City Walmart for for more than three hours Sunday afternoon was fake.
The St. George bomb squad determined there was no real threat at approximately 5:30 p.m. Those who had been evacuated from the store were allowed to return to the shopping center shortly after.
According to CCPD Sgt. Jerry Womack, two unidentified male travelling through the area in a green motor home were believed to have threatened to blow up the Walmart at 1330 South Providence Center in Cedar City at approximately 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
The alleged threat was made after an employee approached the suspect in the parking lot because they were "making a disturbance," Womack told The Spectrum.
"One of the parties said he was tired of being harassed and said, 'I should blow this place up'," Womack said.
The man was driving a green RV parked in a stall in the northwest corner of the parking lot.
Police were called and the area was evacuated as a precaution shortly after. Womack said they did not believe it was a credible threat.
"Officers are erring on the side of caution, but don't believe they have a bomb," he explained shortly after the area was evacuated.
Officials later learned that one of the suspects was experiencing a mental health crisis. Witness interviews indicated the alleged threat may have been taken out of context.
"After talking to witnesses more thoroughly, he (the suspect) never made a threat, but was yelling at his father that some unknown put a bomb in their motor home," Womack explained via text message.
The two individuals are currently in police custody.. They have not officially been charged with a crime at this time.
This is a developing story. The Spectrum & Daily News will continue to update as more information becomes available.
Follow reporter Bree Burkitt on Twitter, @BreeBurkitt. Call her at 435-218-2241.
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