Sumter police respond to another bomb threat Friday at DHEC, DSS building downtown

Second in three days; Wednesday's deemed not credible

Posted

*UPDATE 12:30 p.m.: The situation and building have been cleared and employees allowed back to work, according to police officials.

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Sumter police are responding to another threat at the building that houses the Sumter branch of the Department of Health and Environmental Control and Department of Social Services downtown.

Roads are blocked off at Magnolia Street from East Hampton Avenue to East Calhoun Street, and motorists and pedestrians are being asked to avoid the area.

This is the second bomb threat directed at the DHEC and DSS building this week.

On Wednesday, employees were evacuated just before noon and most were not allowed back inside until Sumter Police Department cleared the building, which required officers to put helmets and bulletproof vests on civilian employees and take them inside because only certain employees could access certain areas of the building.

Wednesday’s threat was deemed not credible, and an investigation has been continuing to determine a suspect and motive.

Stay tuned at TheItem.com as more information becomes available.