Globe, AZ - On September 5, 2014, at approximately 2:49 p.m., the Gila County Sheriff’s Office received information from another law enforcement agency that there was a bomb placed at the Courthouse in Payson. Upon receiving this information, Deputies were dispatched to the Courthouse for immediate evacuation of the building and parking lot. The building was cleared of all personnel and a K-9 trained to detect explosives was brought in to check the building and parking lot.

While Deputies were working on clearing and securing the Payson Courthouse, the Sheriff’s Office received further information of a bomb threat at the Gila County Courthouse in Globe. Procedures were implemented in Globe also for the safety of the employees in that facility. The Gila County Task Force deployed their K-9 trained to detect explosives and the Arizona Department of Public Safety was requested to assist in Globe’s incident with an Explosive Ordinance Detail Officer along with a K-9.

The Courthouses in Globe and Payson were cleared without incident. This is an ongoing investigation. If anyone has information regarding these threats, call the Gila County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 425-4449.

Sheriff Shepherd would like to thank the Payson Police Department and their volunteers, Payson Sheriff’s Posse, Globe Police Department, Canyon Fire, Tri-City Fire, Globe Fire and the Arizona Department of Public Safety for their assistance in both incidents.   back...