Police investigate apparent ‘hoax’ explosives at South Fulton shopping center

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Several law enforcement agencies are investigating what appears to be “hoax” explosives left at a South Fulton shopping center Saturday morning, according to the city’s police department.

Cobb County police, South Fulton police, officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and others are at the Tri-County Station, which is off Old National Highway. The shopping center, which is home to a Family Dollar and several other stores, has been roped off by crime scene tape.

South Fulton Police Maj. Craig Kailimai said a bystander noticed someone throw an object in the shopping center’s parking lot, prompting them to call the police near 12:30 a.m. Officers thought it might be an explosive device and called for the Atlanta Police Department’s bomb squad, he said.

While searching the area, law enforcement found another device. According to Kailimai, both devices appear to be fake.

Officers don’t believe the shopping center was specifically targeted.

“Everything is safe,” Kailimai said. “What I would say to people that think it’s okay to do that, is that we will conduct a thorough investigation, and we will find you.”

The investigation is ongoing. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.

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