Possible Bomb Threat in Area of Salvation Army in Bishop — UPDATED

BISHOP POLICE DEPARTMENT – EMERGENCY ALERT

AVOID THE AREA

The Bishop Police Department is currently investigating a possible bomb threat in the area of 137 S Main Street, the Salvation Army.

Out of an abundance of caution, the area has been secured while officers and assisting agencies investigate. Please avoid the area immediately and use alternate routes until further notice.

Road Closures are in place. W Line Street and N Main. N Fowler and W Line, Lagoon and S Main Street, Lagoon and S Warren and N Warren and Church Street

For your safety:

* Do not enter the affected area.
* Follow all directions from law enforcement personnel.
* Do not call 9-1-1 for updates unless you have an emergency.
* Avoid spreading unverified information on social media.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to ensure the safety of our community.

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1:32 PM

UPDATE FROM CHIEF DERR

Chief Derr would like to reassure the community that there is no active threat to the public at this time, unless you enter the established evacuation zone. We ask everyone to continue avoiding the area while law enforcement and assisting agencies safely complete their investigation.

If you have questions regarding today’s incident, please contact the Bishop Police Department through our social media pages or by email at [email protected].

We appreciate the public’s patience, cooperation, and support as we work to ensure the safety of our community.

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5:52 PM

FINAL UPDATE – POSSIBLE BOMB THREAT

Bishop Police Chief Derr would like to inform the public that the reported bomb threat has been cleared by the Edwards Air Force Base Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team. After a thorough investigation, no hazardous device or threat was found.

All road closures have been lifted, and businesses in the area have reopened.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our partner agencies for their outstanding assistance throughout today’s incident:

* Bishop Volunteer Fire Department
* Inyo County Sheriff’s Office
* California Highway Patrol – Bishop Area
* Sierra LifeFlight
* Edwards Air Force Base EOD Team

A special recognition goes to Bishop Police Department Communications Officer N. Potter, who expertly managed today’s incident as our solo Saturday dispatcher. From coordinating responding resources and allied agencies to handling incoming emergency and non-emergency calls, Communications Officer Potter remained calm, professional, and dedicated throughout the incident. We are grateful for the critical role our dispatchers play behind the scenes, and today’s response is a testament to that commitment.

A 23-year-old Bishop resident, Jonathan Kelley, has been taken into custody and is facing pending charges related to today’s incident.

Chief Derr also wishes to thank the residents, businesses, and visitors of Bishop for their patience, cooperation, and understanding during today’s response. Your support, along with the dedication of our first responders and partner agencies, helped ensure the safety of our community.

This concludes our updates regarding today’s incident.