EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. (Sept. 17, 2024) – At 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, the Excelsior Springs Police Department (ESPD) responded to a bomb threat at the Excelsior Springs Walmart, initiating an immediate and large-scale evacuation. With little information available at the time, officers and Walmart management acted quickly, moving hundreds of people out of the store and away from the premises. Employees were directed to the Magna parking lot just east of the store, while customers were urged to vacate the area.
As the evacuation was underway, ESPD supervisors worked quickly to verify the validity of the threat, gathering crucial information on how it was received. During this process, two officers volunteered to enter the building, risking their own safety to ensure no one had been left behind in the chaotic evacuation.
Investigators later discovered that the call was part of a scam. The individual claimed to be associated with a known vendor and attempted to defraud Walmart out of money. When Walmart’s experienced management staff shut down the scam attempt, the caller escalated the situation by making a bomb threat. According to Lieutenant Ryan Dowdy of the ESPD, scammers often target large corporations, viewing them as easy marks.
After assessing the vague nature of the threat and conducting a thorough search of the store, officers found no suspicious devices. In collaboration with Walmart management, law enforcement determined the threat was not credible. By 4:00 p.m., the store had been cleared and reopened to the public.
“We understand that these processes can be an inconvenience, but safety is always our top priority,” said Lieutenant Dowdy. He also commended Walmart’s management for their quick and efficient response, praising their efforts in evacuating the building, notifying law enforcement, and assisting in the investigation.
The investigation into the scam and bomb threat remains active. If the individual responsible is identified, they will face prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. Under Missouri Senate Bill 518, making a false bomb threat is a Class C felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison. Additionally, anyone convicted of such a crime is required to register with law enforcement authorities.
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