Suspicious package triggers Walmart lockdown

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The all-clear was given Saturday night, hours after a suspicious suitcase was found in the parking lot of a Walmart in Mandarin.

This was the second suspicious package police were sent to investigate on Saturday. The first one was found near an assisted living facility on Middleton Park Circle, but investigators quickly deemed that package safe.

The Walmart on San Jose Boulevard just off Interstate 295 was placed on lockdown just after police were called about 4:30 p.m. Officers found an abandoned suitcase inside a shopping cart in the parking lot.

After looking at surveillance video, investigators learned a man took the suitcase out of a car and put it in the shopping cart. He then drove off. The bomb squad later found the luggage contained only miscellaneous papers.

The parking lot was cleared out, as were several nearby businesses . Anyone inside the Walmart was asked to vacate, or else they'd be locked inside while police investigated.

The scene was not cleared for several hours.

Police said it's a situation where anything is possible and they take it seriously.

"People call them in, they see them, and we appreciate it because we treat everything like its a real decide. Just, not only for the public's safe, but for ours," said Lt. Jimmy Judge with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.


About the Authors:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.