Torrance Courthouse Evacuated as Bomb Squad Detonates Suspect Device, FBI Joins Investigation

A suspect device prompted the evacuation of the Torrance courthouse on Wednesday morning after it was reported to be potentially explosive. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department dispatched its Arson Explosive Detail units, who used a robot to approach and assess the package found outside near the courthouse’s main entrance. The object, described as an orange inflated bag next to a cooler on a bench, was safely detonated by the bomb squad, according to a

CBS News Los Angeles

report.

The decision to evacuate the facility came shortly after 7 a.m., once the suspicious item was reported. SKYCal footage revealed a robot interacting with the orange bag, which was punctured and subsequently neutralized, leading to the courthouse’s resumption of operations at 1 p.m., as mentioned in the same

CBS News Los Angeles article

.

Among those on the scene, local attorney E.J. Montanez described the perpetrator as “probably an idiot joking,” suggesting the potential prank as a “terrible practical joke,” in a statement obtained by

FOX 11

. Witness accounts added to the narrative, with Carolina Castro, who was present across the street when the detonation occurred, sharing her reaction. “It was a pretty loud bang,” Castro said. “It scared a lot of people. Car alarms went off. I heard a lady scream. It was pretty insane.”

Alongside the device, a note was reportedly found bearing the ominous message, “these get bigger,” accompanied by what appeared to be BBs or pellets, possibly suggesting intentions for greater harm or a series of threats. The chilling discovery of the note has led the FBI to join the investigation, which has not yet reported any leads or suspects, as the details of the incident continue to develop. Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about the incident to come forward, with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department providing contact through “Crime Stoppers.”

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