A significant sector of Lakeport is under an evacuation order this afternoon after a ‘suspicious device’ was discovered in front of Saint John’s Episcopal Church.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen told us the device was found as parishioners were heading home from this morning’s service. The discovery led to an immediate evacuation of the area.
Chief Rasmussen told us a bomb squad has been requested to the scene to inspect the “suspicious device” and the evacuation order will remain in place for at least a couple more hours until the scene is secured.
The following is a Nixle Alert sent to Lakeport residents regarding the incident:
The Lakeport Police Department has discovered a suspicious device located at the Saint John’s Episcopal Church at 1190 N Forbes Street. The bomb squad is en route.
An evacuation order is in place for the surrounding area of Eleventh Street, Forbes Street, Main Street and Clear Lake Avenue within 1,000 feet of the Church. Please avoid the area until further notice.
Via @City of Lakeport.
UPDATE 1:07 p.m.: These images were taken by Lakeport resident Russell Bishop and show law enforcement creating a perimeter around the site where the “suspicious device” was located:
UPDATE 1:57 p.m.: Lakeport City Hall at 225 Park Street is open to anyone that has been evacuated and needs a break from the heat.
UPDATE 2:43 p.m.: Chief Brad Rasmussen confirmed that the bomb squad is on the scene investigating the ‘suspicious device’.
UPDATE 3:48 p.m.: A Nixle alert from the City of Lakeport states the “suspicious device” has been “rendered safe”. All evacuation orders are now lifted, the road in the area have reopened, and the “law enforcement investigation remains ongoing.”
Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.
As one of the parishioners, I want to thank the various departments for their quick responses especially the Lakeport Police.