Bomb threat made at Brookshires

Reserve Officer Larry Whittington and bomb dog, Brando, check things out at Brookshires. Photo by Mac Shadix Buffalo's Brookshire Bros grocery store on Highway 79 was the target of a bomb threat on Monday evening, November 23. According to Store Director Randall LaCour, the store received two phone calls and a third call went to the gas kiosk, with a disguised but probably male voice stating, "I just left the store and there's a bomb."

To ensure the safety of the customers and employees, the store's management immediately asked everyone to leave the store for security purposes. As the police were notified, the building was evacuated quickly in a calm manner, with customers leaving their grocery baskets right where they were.

Buffalo Police Chief Lance Pavelka and Sargent Ferrand responded, and reserve officer Larry Whittington was brought in with his bomb dog, Brando. The dog went over everything and the "all clear" was issued at about 8:15 p.m. The employees then re-entered the store to put everything away, shut down and get prepared for the next business day.

Brookshire Bros lost three hours' business, but the safety of their staff and customers was Priority One. "We take anything seriously, so the best we could do was evacuate without causing a big ruckus," LaCour offered later. "It was a big inconvenience to the shoppers and I hate that."

The Texas Rangers and the FBI were notified and the incident is under further investigation. According to DA Whitney Smith, such a bomb threat would be classified as a telecommunication "terroristic threat" and is at least a misdemeanor. Depending upon the amount of revenue the business lost, it could be classified as a state jail felony.