Bomb threats hit Walmarts across the U.S.

PONDERAY — Walmart stores across the nation were disrupted on Black Friday because of bomb threats, including the store in Ponderay.

Ponderay police Chief Mike Hutter, who was off-duty that day but using official police reports, said Lt. Jimmy Cornelius was the only officer at the police station when the automated bomb threat came in shortly before 2 p.m.

Cornelius immediately contacted management at Walmart locally, who made the decision to not tell the shoppers or other employees about the threat. They closed the store so people could not enter, but shoppers were allowed to stay and take part in the many Black Friday deals. Doors were reopened to the public about 2:45 p.m. Bonner County Emergency Management, Sandpoint Police, Ponderay Police and Northside Fire all responded to the threat, helping with traffic control and searching the building.

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