Hawks game delayed as police investigate suspicious package outside arena – WSB Atlanta

ATLANTA — The Hawks payoff game was delayed as Atlanta police investigated a suspicious package outside State Farm Arena.

Police removed the package and said there was no threat detected.

Streets were currently closed in the area and fans were not allowed inside the arena.

NBA sources told Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein that a suspicious package was found outside the arena and officials called in Atlanta Police Department bomb squad dogs to investigate. SWAT teams also headed to the area.

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The Hawks put out a statement saying:

“Prior to tonight’s Eastern Conference First Round matchup between the Hawks and Miami Heat, a suspicious package was found outside Gate 2 of State Farm Arena. Out of an abundance of caution, Gates 1, 2 and 3 were temporarily closed by the Atlanta Police Department while the police department, K-9 units and Arena security worked to clear the area and investigate the contents of the package. The contents of the package were not found to be explosive, and the package was removed safely by the Atlanta Bomb Squad.”

Tip off was delayed for a half hour to 7:45 p.m.

Klein was inside waiting for the game to start when officials shut down several of the gates.

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