Dunn, N.C. – On Sunday evening, police responded to a reported bomb threat at the Walmart on East Jackson Boulevard. Chief Lynn Gay, a former State Bureau of Investigation bomb technician, said the department’s priority was protecting shoppers and employees while investigating the potential danger.
Timeline of the incident
Deputies arrived at the store around 6:30 p.m. and began a thorough sweep of the building. Because the location is a large, high‑traffic retail center, Gay decided to keep customers inside the store while officers conducted a systematic search. The lockdown lasted roughly 45 minutes, after which the bomb threat was deemed a hoax and the parking lot reopened at about 9 p.m.
Chief Gay’s rationale
“Based on my experience, I made the best decision to keep everyone safe,” Gay said. He emphasized that frequent shoppers and store workers are often the first to notice anything out of the ordinary, and keeping them inside allowed officers to monitor the situation closely and assess any potential risk more quickly.
Shoppers’ reactions
Several shoppers expressed frustration with the confinement. Katie Elliot, who was in the store at the time, said, “Why would you lock us inside? We were locked in for an hour, standing at the front of the store with hundreds of people who had checked out… We were just standing there, no clue what was going on, no answers.” While the experience was inconvenient, most respondents acknowledged the importance of safety during a potential bomb threat.
Police department’s response
Gay noted that the department does not enjoy inconveniencing the public, but safety must come first. “We do not want to disrupt daily life, but protecting the lives of Dunn residents is our top priority,” he said. The department’s swift determination that the threat was not credible allowed the store to resume normal operations by nightfall.
Community impact
The incident highlights the challenges local law‑enforcement faces when responding to potential threats at busy commercial sites. By acting decisively, the Dunn Police Department aimed to prevent panic and ensure that any real danger could be neutralized before it escalated.
Looking ahead
Chief Gay’s background as a bomb technician with the State Bureau of Investigation for two decades informs his approach to emergency response. Residents can expect continued vigilance from the department, especially during high‑profile events or when large gatherings are involved.
Police officials encourage anyone who observes suspicious activity or receives credible threats to report them immediately, reinforcing the partnership between the community and law‑enforcement in keeping Dunn safe.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
