The Prince George Courthouse has returned to normal after a police investigation found that Thursday morning’s bomb threat was a hoax. Prince George RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Jennifer Cooper said the public can now return to downtown, the courthouse, and nearby businesses. She thanked everyone for staying clear during the investigation.
The courthouse in Williams Lake was also evacuated following a similar threat. Police and the Prince George Airport Authority confirmed there was no threat or police activity at the airport despite social media rumors.
The Prince George threat was reported to the BC Sheriff Service at about 9:50 a.m. All people inside were told to leave immediately. RCMP officers with a dog team carefully searched the courthouse for explosives. A police helicopter also assisted in the investigation. Officers asked the public to avoid downtown while the search was underway.
Jacqueline Reed, a lawyer for the BC First Nations Justice Council, described the evacuation. She was in courtroom 101 handling remand cases when the sheriff and court clerk interrupted proceedings. “We had just started speaking to the list of matters when the judge said court was stood down. Then the sheriff told everyone to evacuate,” Reed said. She added that people were initially gathered in the courtyard but had to move again as police cordoned off the area.
In courtroom 103, Justice Martin Nadon had just finished hearing a guilty plea in a May 1, 2024, extortion and assault case when the sheriff stopped the Crown prosecutor. “Your honour, we need to stand down,” the sheriff said. Nadon agreed, and the courtroom was cleared. By 11:47 a.m., Nadon returned but closed his laptop and left. Court sessions resumed at 2 p.m.
This is the second bomb threat at the Prince George Courthouse since July 30, 2024. In the early afternoon, Williams Lake RCMP confirmed a “threats investigation” at the courthouse at 540 Borland St. Multiple streets were blocked, including areas between Seventh Avenue and Borland Street, and Third Avenue and Borland Street. RCMP said the situation no longer posed a risk to public safety. The investigation remains ongoing.
