May 7th, 2010
06:06 PM ET

All-clear given in Times Square scare

Police have blocked off parts of Times Square and evacuated people because of a suspicious cooler left in Times Square.

[Updated at 6:06 p.m.] Read the full CNN.com story

[Updated at 2:32 p.m.] Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York acknowledged after that incident that terrorists have targeted New York.

"We have to take every precaution, as you know, because we remain a prime target for terrorists," he said. "That's something all New Yorkers understand and it's something that we need Washington to understand as well."

"We will continue to doing everything we possibly can to protect New Yorkers from terrorist attacks. We have, as you know, built the most comprehensive and sophisticated counter terrorism operation of any local police force in the world."

[Updated at 2:24 p.m.] An all-clear was declared Friday after authorities investigated a suspicious package left in front of a hotel in Times Square and determined that it contained water bottles, police said.

[Updated at 2:10 p.m.] The New York Police Department has deployed a robot to X-ray the cooler that was abandoned in front of the Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square, police told CNN's Susan Candiotti.

[Updated at 2:15 p.m.] A bomb squad robot has completed its X-ray of the suspicious cooler left in Times Square, CNN's Susan Candiotti reported. But, the results were inconclusive.

Members of the bomb squad are now suiting up to get a closer look.

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[Updated at 2:01 p.m.] CNN's Ali Velshi who is on 47th Street and Broadway reports: "Times Square is entirely empty" on certain blocks.

[Updated at 1:58 p.m.] Kathy Duffy, who is in her office at the Marriott Marquis hotel, told CNN the Times Square Alliance said there was an abandoned cooler left outside. Duffy said officials told her that the bomb squad was trying to determine if it was a threat. She said that the hotel has not been told to evacuate.

[Updated at 1:51 p.m.] A spokesman for the Times Square Alliance says, according to the NYPD, the following streets are closed:

  • East bound on 46th Street from 8th Ave
  • West bound on 45th Street from 6th Ave.
  • And the Broadway and 7th Avenue plaza between 44th and 47th.
  • 44th and 47th Streets themselves are not closed.

[Updated at 1:45 p.m.] The suspicious package that prompted evacuations in New York's Times Square is a white cooler that was left near the front of the Marriott Marquis Hotel, police told CNN.

The area is not far from where Faisal Shahzad left his SUV that had explosives in it.

People were evacuated from the streets of Times Square after a report of a suspicious package.

[Posted at 1:24 p.m.] Times Square has been evacuated after a suspicious package was found near 45th street, a New York Police Department official said.

The package was found near 45th Street and Broadway, officials said.

The evacuation comes six days after an SUV with explosives was left in Times Square resulting in the arrest of Faisal Shahzad.

This story is developing. We'll bring you the latest information as we get it.

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Filed under: Times Square
soundoff (1,087 Responses)
  1. JoAnne

    "Muslims doing what muslims do best."

    Posted by: Mark

    People who think like that are usually ignorant beyond belief and fanatical in their own religeous beliefs... You make me sick.

    May 7, 2010 at 2:06 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Kristina

    Can they seriously not get a better camera out there? it's been over 30 mins. Really rediculous

    May 7, 2010 at 2:06 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Brat Prince

    Bettert safe than sorry. The threats are real. The enemy is real. Don't buy the mainstream media nonsense as fed to them by this weak apologetic, kowtowing administration.

    May 7, 2010 at 2:06 pm | Report abuse |
  4. zengac

    I agree larry! NYC is my favorite place on earth and I hate that it's such a target!

    May 7, 2010 at 2:06 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Nick

    People were making fun of the attempt last week. I think the group was embarrassed by the attempt and mad they were being mocked. If it is anything, its probably revenge. But I doubt it is anything

    May 7, 2010 at 2:06 pm | Report abuse |
  6. abw

    honey, can you get me a beer out of the cooler? what? you left it where?

    May 7, 2010 at 2:06 pm | Report abuse |
  7. dg-mon

    The well-hidden cavemen in Afghanistan and Pakistan are laughing their butts off at our paranoia. Step up the Drone activity. We won't elininate them, but we will force them to remain in hiding until they die of old age or exposure.

    May 7, 2010 at 2:06 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Laughing Canuck

    Guys....its a beautiful day....just want to start the weekend early.

    Remember High School and the Friday afternoon bomb threats to the school?

    Same thing!

    (I hope)

    May 7, 2010 at 2:06 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Marjorie

    I prey that this country and others prevail against all acts of terrorism!

    May 7, 2010 at 2:06 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Michael

    This is something that will become a daily part of life for the people of New York. In most cases just a copy cat sitting a bag down somewhere and watching the news to see the turn out.

    May 7, 2010 at 2:06 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Josh

    I'm just thrilled so many people are watching the news.

    May 7, 2010 at 2:06 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Praying in NC

    I'm not a New Yorker, but I am an American and we here in North Carolina are praying and standing with you all in NY. God Bless you guys and America!

    May 7, 2010 at 2:07 pm | Report abuse |
  13. marv

    YAWWWWWWNNNNNN!!!

    shouldn't CNN be getting back to fellating Obama?

    May 7, 2010 at 2:07 pm | Report abuse |
  14. TommyO

    Officials from TSA (times Square Authority) have confirmed that the Pastrimi sandwich inside confirms that Al Qaida is now working with the Italian mafia.

    May 7, 2010 at 2:07 pm | Report abuse |
  15. dm baltimore

    a great line is, "just because you are paranoid doesn't mean there really isn't someone there."

    May 7, 2010 at 2:07 pm | Report abuse |
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