WACO — A bomb threat forced the evacuation and closure of the McLennan County Courthouse in downtown Waco Friday morning, county officials said, prompting a coordinated response from local and state law enforcement and disrupting court operations for the rest of the day.
Immediate response and searches
McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara told reporters the threat was called in at about 8 a.m. Deputies evacuated the courthouse at 501 Washington Avenue and secured a perimeter while other resources were brought in to assist with a thorough search.
- Texas Department of Public Safety K-9 units assisted with sweeps.
- Law enforcement searched the main courthouse building, the annex and the District Attorney's office.
- No suspicious device or other evidence tied to the threat was located.
“We took every precaution to keep our employees, our citizens, and our law enforcement officers safe,” Sheriff Parnell McNamara said.
Disruption and public safety implications
Officials sent all courthouse employees home and announced the building would remain closed for the rest of the day. The closure affects hearings, filings and other in-person services that residents rely on for civil and criminal matters. County leaders did not release further details Friday evening and described the incident as developing.
Context for local and county services
As the county seat, Waco houses courts and administrative offices that serve McLennan County’s population. A closure at the courthouse can delay scheduled court dates, slow case processing and limit access to records or permitting services. The presence of state K-9 teams underscores the multi-agency approach to potential explosive threats and the priority placed on public safety.
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| About 8 a.m. | Bomb threat called in; evacuation ordered |
| Morning | Searches by deputies and Texas DPS K-9 units; annex and DA's office checked |
| Afternoon | No device found; courthouse remained closed for the day |
County officials have not identified a suspect or provided information on the origin of the call. Anyone with information about the incident is typically asked to contact the McLennan County Sheriff's Office or local law enforcement. The sheriff’s office and partner agencies will likely review security and communication protocols following the incident to reduce disruption from similar threats in the future.
News Block will update this report as more details become available from county authorities.
