Multiple homemade explosive devices were found near an open suitcase at a park in Texas, prompting a lockdown and an investigation by the FBI.
The suitcase and scattered items nearby were found at Wynne Park in Garland, Texas, about 16 miles northeast of Dallas, at about 11:30 a.m. local time Sunday. Some of the scattered items were pipe bombs.
Garland Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Pedro Barineau told KXAS-TV that the suitcase and pipe bombs were found about 300 feet from a walking trail.
The area was subsequently locked down. Bomb technicians from the FBI and Garland police came to the scene and worked to ensure each explosive was rendered inert and inoperable.
“We made sure that the residents in the North neighborhood were made aware. They locked down the area and they began the process of rendering each device safe. … It went all the way through the day as well as early into the morning this morning before every single device was actually evaluated and rendered safe,” Lt. Barineau said.
The area was cleared by 4 p.m. local time Monday, though the entrance to the park remained closed.
Investigators are still trying to figure out why the explosives were there, how long they had been in the park, who made them, and why they would have placed them in a public park.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.