A 34-year-old Loganville man was arrested Wednesday for making a threat to blow up a shopping center on Dawsonville Highway in Gainesville.
Christopher Kyle Moore was taken into custody on the roof of the shopping center in the 1100 block of Dawsonville Highway, a news released from the Gainesville Police Department said. He was charged with making terroristic threats and criminal trespass.
Gainesville police and the Hall County deputies responded to a 911 call around noon at the shopping center which houses Burlington, Academy Sports and Outdoors and Hobby Lobby, among others, after a witness overheard a man, later identified as Moore, making threats consistent with explosive devices. The shopping center had been evacuated as a precaution. When Moore was located on the roof, he was near two backpacks, the release said.
The specialized explosives unit of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called to determine if there were explosives in the backpacks or anywhere else in the complex. No explosives were found, and the area was reopened.
“We never know what calls may bring us together, but this was a clear illustration of how much everyone cares about the safety of our community,” Chief Jay Parrish said. “We take all calls of this nature seriously with a goal that everyone goes home to their loved ones. I am beyond thankful of this outcome.”
