Harris Co. Civil Courthouse partially cleared after emailed threat

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A local TV station received an threatening email this morning saying there was a bomb inside the Harris County Civil Courthouse and other downtown buildings, according to the Harris County Constable. The email did not specify which buildings.

Authorities notified judges and workers inside the courthouse about the threat and gave them the option to evacuate. There was not a mandatory evacuation. Hundreds of people did choose to evacuate while bomb sniffing dogs were brought inside and law enforcement swept the building. Nothing was found.

The constable says the email came from someone in Harris County. They are searching for that person and continuing to investigate. The person could face terroristic threatening charges.

By 11:15am, the building was deemed safe and people went back inside the courthouse.

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