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.

soundoff (1,087 Responses)
  1. PTA

    Enlightened-

    You make no sense and should be in some dark room writing more crap to brainwash REAL Americans!

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Patriot from the US

    Darn it, it didn't explode ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, better luck next time.

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  3. greg

    CNN, why not post your updates from oldest to newest, so that you can follow the story instead of giving it all away up front?

    //just sayin

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Tom

    Yes, if you had lived in NYC through the 9/11 attacks, you would understand why they take these types of precautions. It isn't paranoia, it is a legacy of fear that remains within people who live in the city. Think how you would react if you had been through 9/11 in your town.

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Eliseo

    May God be with those working this case, hope the bombsquad stays safe!

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  6. i agree

    damn, i forgot my lunch outside again! my bad...

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Matt

    It's time that we Americans of all peaceful beliefs to take Islamic culture into serious consideration. We need to do something about this, I don't know what... but it's not going to be politically correct whatever it may be. Maybe phase out the culture? If the moderate Muslims fail to shun these extremists from our society, then they are just as guilty IMO.

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Will

    Irrelevant. Why can't terrorists see that this is useless...

    People will still come to work the next day. Especially in America. Love of money > Fear/Terror anyday in this country...

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  9. james

    598 you go open it up !!!

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Dean from SF

    The terrorists have changed the way we live. Why do we submit to that?

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  11. popatnic

    Just because you are paranoid does not mean they are not out to get you...

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  12. jon

    I didn't know that "Paranoid", by Black Sabbath was being played live in Times Square today

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Kieth Richards

    Hey mates I lost me beer cooler outside a hotel, can you please keep it cold and return?!

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  14. johanna

    paranoia is the wrong word. I work 12 blocks from here and I'd like to be sure that I'm going to make it home from work today. I'm sure everyone in manhattan feels the same.

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
  15. fapfapfap

    The terrorists won. GG, it's been fun guys

    May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
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