> At a Glance
> – The Arizona Supreme Court and nearby buildings were evacuated after a suspicious package tested positive for homemade explosives
> – The package contained “multiple vials” of explosive substances, according to the Department of Public Safety
> – No injuries were reported and no suspect has been identified
> – Why it matters: The incident disrupted court operations and prompted a large-scale emergency response in Phoenix
The Arizona Supreme Court and several surrounding government buildings were abruptly evacuated Monday morning after a suspicious package containing homemade explosives was discovered in the mailroom.
The Discovery
At approximately 8 a.m. local time on January 5, the Arizona Department of Public Safety responded to reports of a suspicious package at the court building. Authorities tested the contents and confirmed the presence of multiple vials containing homemade explosive substances.
DPS Public Information Officer Bart Graves confirmed:
> “Multiple buildings were evacuated on the Capitol Mall, including the State Courts building, which houses the Arizona State Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, Division One.”
A letter sent to court staff obtained by ABC 15 stated:
> “A suspicious package was received by our mailroom and has tested positive for homemade explosives.”
Emergency Response
The evacuation prompted a coordinated response from multiple law enforcement agencies:
- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms dispatched its Phoenix branch to investigate
- Additional sweeps were conducted throughout the State Courts Building
- The building remained closed as authorities completed their investigation
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs praised the response on X:
> “Thank you to our first responders and law enforcement for their swift action following the evacuation of the Arizona Supreme Court after a suspicious package tested positive for explosives. Public safety is my top priority, I’ll continue to monitor this situation closely and ensure Arizonans stay informed.”
Investigation Status
Authorities have not yet determined how the package was delivered or whether anyone handled it before law enforcement was notified. The size of the package and specific details about the explosive materials have not been released.
Court operations are expected to resume as normal on Tuesday, January 6, once officials complete their investigation and remove the package for further examination and disposal.
Key Takeaways
- No injuries were reported during the incident
- No suspect has been publicly identified
- The investigation remains ongoing
- Court operations will resume Tuesday
- The incident affected multiple government buildings on the Capitol Mall
The case represents a serious security breach at one of Arizona’s most important judicial facilities, though authorities have not indicated any specific threats or motives behind the incident.
