BREAKING: Times Square Evacuated Amid Bomb Threat

The heart of Times Square in New York City was evacuated on Monday morning as local law enforcement officers investigated a suspicious package that was found outside of an NYPD precinct. A cylindrical device was discovered just in front of a precinct building in Times Square, located at 43rd Street and Seventh Avenue, at around 10:30 a.m., according to police.

Authorities quickly launched the evacuation, transforming the area packed with tourists and commuters into what looked like a ghost town ripped straight out of a post-apocalyptic nightmare. After the bomb squad determined the package wasn’t dangerous, they allowed people to return and resume their day.

Police did not reveal whether the device was intentionally made to look like a bomb. Aerial footage captured during the evacuation showed one of the busiest spots in Manhattan coming to a total standstill. All that remained in the area were police vehicles and officials who were investigating the device.

A couple from Yonkers, who were visiting the town with their baby, stated they were startled by the scare and asked a reporter on the scene, “Are we alright?” Another family hailing from Colombia described the scene as well.

“We got off the train and saw everything closed off and police everywhere,” one of the tourists went on to say. “They wouldn’t tell us everything. We’re just here because my sister has never seen New York.”

As of this writing, there have been no arrests made in connection with the incident.

Tourist Kuli Dhesi went on to say, “At the end of the day, for the greater good,” referencing the decision to evacuate Times Square. “At the end of the day, safety comes first.”

Mike Mercado, a long-time resident of Long Island, said, “It’s a shame. Times Square, all this madness is happening.”

According to a report from ABC News, Times Square was also evacuated due to a bomb scare in May 2010. The incident occurred on a Saturday night, when police discovered a dark-colored sports utility vehicle that was smoking. A small “flash” was observed by firefighters who arrived on the scene.

At the time, an unconfirmed report claimed to have witnessed a person running away from the vehicle. A bomb squad arrived and put out a small fire in the SUV.

“A New York City firefighter who said he arrived early on the scene described the vehicle as a dark-colored SUV, and said it was parked at the corner of 45th Street and Seventh Avenue,” ABC News reported.

During that scare, police had a plan in place to shut down Broadway shows located in the vicinity of the vehicle; however, it was never made clear if any shows were actually evacuated during the incident.