Portable Gun Safe Prompts Evacuations In Downtown San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA – A portable gun safe located outside the federal courthouse in downtown San Diego prompted evacuations before experts determined the box was not dangerous, authorities said.

Federal law enforcement officers found the black metal box around 5 p.m. Monday near Broadway and Union Street, between the Edward J. Schwartz Unites States Courthouse and James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep United States Courthouse, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

Police and firefighters shut down Broadway between Front Street and State Street during the investigation. Workers located on the lower floors of office buildings in the area were evacuated.

Officials assumed the portable gun safe was likely one that someone had brought to the nearby courthouse since law enforcement officers and others bringing firearms are required to secure the weapons in a locked box when they check in, SDFD Battalion Chief Dan Eddy told OnScene TV.

All street closures were lifted around 6:30 p.m.

By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock