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Paine Field reopens after brief evacuation for ‘suspicious package’

Published 12:00 pm Tuesday, June 13, 2023

By Jonathan Tall

Snohomish County Sheriff vehicles block off access to Paine Field after the discovery of a suspicious package at the airport on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
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Snohomish County Sheriff vehicles block off access to Paine Field after the discovery of a suspicious package at the airport on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County Sheriff vehicles block off access to Paine Field after the discovery of a suspicious package at the airport on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Two members of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s office direct traffic as TSA and other airport workers gather outside the terminal at Paine Field after the discovery of a suspicious package at the airport on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller Airports, meets with law enforcement and others outside Paine Field’s terminal after the discovery of a suspicious package at the airport on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

EVERETT — A “suspicious package” prompted an evacuation Thursday morning at Paine Field, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

Around noon, a package was left unattended in the ticketing terminal, sheriff’s office spokesperson Courtney O’Keefe said. Other travelers reported the perceived issue to airport staff.

The terminal was evacuated out of an abundance of caution, as a police bomb squad checked the package. Planes weren’t allowed to take off or land, according to the airport.

Nothing suspicious was found, authorities said. The package only contained personal items.

The airport reopened after about an hour.

“Incoming flights are expected to land shortly,” the sheriff’s office tweeted around 1 p.m.

Jonathan Tall: 425-339-3486; jonathan.tall@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @EDHJonTall.

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