Authorities investigate Winn Dixie bomb threat

Published 3:40 pm Friday, March 1, 2013

Shoppers in Winn Dixie were asked to leave the store around noon on Friday due to a bomb threat.

Shoppers in Winn Dixie were asked to leave the store around noon on Friday due to a bomb threat.

Authorities responded to a bomb threat at the Winn Dixie grocery store in Clanton at about noon on Friday.

Clanton Police Chief Brian Stilwell said after the store was thoroughly searched no evidence was found to suggest a bomb was inside.

Stilwell said employees at the store implemented a safety plan upon hearing of the threat and everyone had evacuated the store shortly after the 911 call came in.

Clanton police, the Chilton County Sheriff’s Department and the Clanton Fire Department responded to the scene.

The shopping center was closed off while authorities searched the store and police officers directed traffic along Ollie Avenue for more than 30 minutes.

Stilwell said the investigation continues to determine who originally made the call reporting the bomb.