Bomb Squad Detonates Suspicious Package At Denver Federal Center

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - Law enforcement responded to the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood Monday morning on reports of a suspicious package.

Lakewood police announced just before 11 a.m. that southbound Kipling Street was closed between 6th Avenue and West Alameda Avenue due to a suspicious item.

A spokesperson for the DFC said a female showed up to the main entrance, Gate 1, and dropped off a backpack, saying there was a bomb in it. That woman was immediately arrested and questioned by police. She is now in federal custody.

The woman's car was found at a nearby Lowe's Home Improvement and towed. Nothing suspicious was found in it.

Both Gate 1 and Gate 2 of the DFC were closed shortly after 11 a.m. until the bomb squad clears the area.

Fletcher Miller School, on Kipling Street at 6th Avenue, went on lockdown at 10 a.m. and Creighton Middle School was evacuated.

The Jefferson County Bomb Squad responded to the scene and used a robot to approach the suspicious package.

An X-ray showed that the contents of the backpack were not a bomb, but wiring was seen and the backpack was detonated.
"They X-rayed it and they saw some cellphone paraphernalia and some wiring in it," Sally Mayberry with the DFC said. "No one was hurt and everyone is safe."

After the explosion, authorities verified that the there was no bomb.

Kipling Street was reopened just before 2 p.m. Gates to the DFC remained closed.

Federal authorities haven't released the woman's name.

Official Statement From The Federal Protective Service

FPS and local law enforcement immediately responded to a potential threat at the Denver Federal Center today. FPS continues to work closely with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and Lakewood Police Department regarding the ongoing investigation.  There is no current threat to federal facilities, employees or visitors.