Suspicious Package Prompts Evacuation at Durham Mall

Suspicious Package Prompts Evacuation at Durham Mall \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A suspicious package prompted the evacuation of Nordstrom at Durham’s Streets at Southpoint mall. The Durham County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad responded to investigate the scene. Police urged the public to avoid the area during the ongoing investigation.

Quick Looks

• Police responded to a suspicious package call at Southpoint mall.
• The package was found inside the Nordstrom store.
• Incident reported just before 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
• Durham County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad was called in.
• Police evacuated the store as a precaution.
• Authorities asked the public to leave and avoid the area.
• Eyewitness described seeing police surrounding a suspicious SUV.
• Mall access was restricted during the investigation.
• No injuries were reported, and investigation remains active.
• ABC11 News spoke with on-site shoppers about the disruption.

Deep Look

What began as a typical Saturday shopping trip at Durham’s bustling Streets at Southpoint mall quickly escalated into a tense public safety operation after a suspicious package was discovered inside the Nordstrom department store. The incident, which occurred shortly before 2:30 p.m., led to a swift response from Durham police, the Durham County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, and emergency personnel, prompting an evacuation that disrupted weekend shopping plans for hundreds.

Authorities say the response was necessary given the nature of the threat. While details about the package itself remain limited, its discovery within a major retail store raised immediate alarm. The Nordstrom store was evacuated, and police cordoned off surrounding areas while bomb technicians examined the scene.

In an official statement, police urged the public to “avoid the area and to leave as quickly and safely as possible.” The directive reflected the uncertainty of the situation and the high volume of people present at the mall at the time — many of whom had no idea why exits were suddenly blocked and stores began shutting their doors.

One of those caught in the confusion was Eliana Kim, a shopper who spoke to ABC11 News. Kim described a chaotic yet controlled environment outside the mall. “I looked behind my car, and there was this SUV — kind of brownish grey — and all the doors were open. Police were surrounding it,” she said. Officers were carefully inspecting the vehicle, adding to the tension already building around the mall.

Kim and her friends entered the mall shortly after witnessing the police presence, unaware of the developing threat. “We went inside for about three hours with friends. Then we tried to come back the way we entered, and they said, ‘we can’t let you through,’ and we were like, ‘what’s going on?’” Her account illustrates the disjointed experience for many shoppers, who found themselves in the middle of a high-stakes security response with little information being made public at the time.

The Southpoint Mall as a Regional Hub

Located just off Interstate 40 in Durham, North Carolina, the Streets at Southpoint is one of the largest and most popular shopping destinations in the state. Featuring anchor stores like Nordstrom, Macy’s, and JCPenney, as well as luxury retailers and a multiplex cinema, the mall regularly draws thousands of visitors, particularly on weekends.

Because of its high traffic and open layout, Southpoint has been the site of several prior security incidents, including past evacuations, theft reports, and even a 2021 shooting. These events have heightened awareness and led to increased coordination between mall security and local law enforcement.

Saturday’s incident, however, marked one of the more serious disruptions in recent memory due to the potential threat of explosives. The Durham County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, specially trained to handle such emergencies, was deployed to assess and neutralize any danger.

Public Safety and Protocol

While it is still unclear whether the suspicious package was ultimately deemed dangerous, police were adamant in treating the situation with full seriousness. That approach follows national law enforcement protocol, which dictates that any unattended or potentially suspicious item in a public space be investigated thoroughly, especially in an era when mass gatherings are increasingly viewed as soft targets.

Local businesses, already affected by pandemic-era foot traffic fluctuations, experienced a fresh wave of disruption. Some stores went into lockdown, while others closed early. Social media posts from bystanders showed police tape near entrances and groups of shoppers standing outside, waiting for updates.

Authorities have yet to confirm whether any arrests were made or if surveillance footage from the mall yielded additional evidence. As of Saturday evening, no injuries or explosions were reported, and police said further details would be released following a complete investigation.

Community Response and Continued Vigilance

The incident has prompted renewed discussion among community members about public safety in commercial spaces. While many praised the quick response by police and the bomb squad, others expressed concern about the frequency of such alerts and the emotional toll they take on families, children, and retail workers.

“This kind of thing sticks with you,” said one Southpoint employee who asked not to be named. “You’re just doing your job, selling shoes or folding clothes, and all of a sudden you’re thinking about whether you might need to run or hide.”

Law enforcement agencies encourage the public to report “See Something, Say Something” incidents without fear of overreacting. While many suspicious package calls turn out to be false alarms — often abandoned bags, misplaced personal items, or misunderstood behavior — each one is treated as potentially credible until confirmed otherwise.

Saturday’s investigation also highlighted the importance of inter-agency coordination. The Durham Police Department, Durham County Sheriff’s Office, and mall security teams acted in unison, ensuring both safety and calm in a high-traffic environment.

As of now, the mall remains under close watch, and it is not yet clear whether Sunday shopping hours will be affected. Police are expected to issue a more detailed update once the investigation concludes and the package is identified.

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