Bomb Threat Disrupts Polling Center in Michigan, USA

American police announced they have identified a suspect in a false bomb report inside a polling center in the state of Michigan, confirming the building was evacuated and voting continued during search operations.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 3, during the US Congressional midterm elections, at Carlson High School in the city of Gibraltar in Wayne County, Michigan.

Brownstown Township Police reported that the school serves as a polling place for the 8th and 11th electoral districts, noting receipt of a phone call regarding a bomb inside the building.

Following the report, authorities evacuated the school. Brownstown Police, Gibraltar Police, and the Wayne County Sheriff's Office participated in searching the building and surrounding area, assisted by specialized units using police dogs trained to detect explosives.

Police confirmed that voting continued despite the evacuation, after voters were moved to the parking lot outside the school, where they were able to cast their ballots during the search operations.

Brownstown Police said in a statement: "We take all threats seriously. The safety of voters and election workers and the integrity of the democratic process are of paramount importance. We will release more information as it becomes available."

In a subsequent development, Gibraltar Police Chief Bruce Pollard announced that investigators had identified an adult suspect from the city of Woodhaven, noting that the case would be referred to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office to consider filing criminal charges against him.

Pollard clarified, in statements to American station "Local 4," that the report came around 3:30 PM local time on Tuesday, and that search operations included Carlson High School and Shoemaker Middle School, before confirming both buildings were clear of any danger.

Station "WXYZ" quoted a spokesperson for the Michigan Secretary of State's office stating that the report was false, and that authorities declared the building safe around 6:00 PM local time.