WASHINGTON — The area around the DC Superior Court in Northwest D.C. is now back open following a suspicious package investigation Wednesday morning.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) confirmed to WUSA9 that the investigation sparked after a report of a possible suspicious package outside of the building, which is located on Indiana Avenue Northwest.
In addition, WUSA9’s Randi Ayala was informed by police that court proceedings were impacted Wednesday because no one was allowed to leave or enter the court building until the bomb squad cleared the package. Once the package was cleared, a spokesperson said it is "business as usual" at the courthouse.
The suspicious package was identified as a red backpack tied to a flagpole outside the courthouse.
At this time, it’s unclear how long the package was at the courthouse, but it was there when WUSA9 crews arrived to the location before 5 a.m. Courthouse security notified MPD around 6 a.m. and officers responded and shut off the area.
Bomb squad officials arrived at the scene just before 7:30 a.m. and the package was declared safe about an hour later. Authorities began leaving the area around the courthouse by 8:30 a.m.
The police activity caused road closures in the area, but all roads have since reopened to traffic.
This is a developing story. We are working to confirm additional details. Stay with WUSA9 for the latest updates as they come in to our newsroom.
This happened around five hours before two Dunbar High School seniors are set to appear in the courthouse. The two have been charged with assault with intent to kill, which stems from a shooting in Northwest D.C. A stray bullet from the shootout, which happened outside the school, went through the window of the school and struck a 17-year-old girl while she was in a classroom.
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