Suspicious Device Shuts Down Downtown Area

Albuquerque –

Around 7 PM, a suspicious device was observed near Central Ave and 2nd St, and authorities were dispatched to the area.

Officers from the Albuquerque Police Department responded, and they evacuated businesses in the area. As of this publication, the nature of the suspicious device is unknown.

Authorities have closed Central going both east and westbound around 2nd St. SW. They have also established a large perimeter and blocked roads from 1st to 3rd Streets going east and west, as well as north and southbound traffic between Gold and Copper. Authorities advise people to avoid the area, whether driving or foot traffic.

As a precaution, AFR is staging in the area.

Update:

Around 8:25 PM, the suspicious device was declared safe, and the “all clear” was given. APD began reopening lanes of traffic in the area. People who were sheltering-in-place were being allowed to return to the businesses they were at when evacuated, or permitted to return to their vehicles.