The Federal Way Police Department (FWPD) shut down South 324th from Pacific Highway S to S 24th Ave, after an unknown suspect said he had left a bag of explosives near a dumpster at a strip mall in the vicinity. According to FWPD spokesperson Cathy Schrock, at “approximately 9 a.m., an adult male entered the (southwest end of) The Commons Mall, and contacted a person at the information desk.” The unknown man stated he had “placed a bag of explosives on a dumpster near a business in the strip mall area immediately south of the Mall.” According to Schrock, the unknown suspect left the area and is not in custody at this time.

FWPD’s bomb squad was on scene as of 10:23 a.m., and was “sending a robot to evaluate the bag” and dispose of it as needed.

UPDATE: The situation has been cleared, according to FWPD. There were no explosives in the bag, and the area has been reopened.