Second backpack at U.S. Bank determined not a threat

The Springfield Fire Department’s bomb squad found a second unattended backpack at U.S. Bank this morning, but it was determined to not be a threat.

The first backpack found at the scene earlier this morning is still under investigation, according to the Fire Department’s Twitter page.

Meanwhile, traffic on Jefferson Street has been reopened.

Early this morning, the bomb squad was deployed to the 417 E. St Louis St. bank, responding to a suspicious backpack found in front of the building.

Springfield Fire Department spokeswoman Cara Erwin said U.S. Bank and Discovery Center of Springfield employees were evacuated, and the entire block was shut down by law enforcement. She declined to speculate on what might be in the backpack.

Springfield Business Journal photographer Wes Hamilton observed the bomb squad’s explosive ordinance disposal robot on the scene.

The bomb squad also was called recently to Park Central Square, after a suspicious object was found under the Christmas tree on Saturday evening. That device, determined to be hazardous, is still under investigation. On Nov. 21, the bomb squad was called to the Springfield-Branson National Airport after a suspicious package was found during screening. That package was determined not to be an explosive device, according to news releases from the city.