LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville man was arrested on Thursday after he allegedly walked into the Hall of Justice with what he claimed was a backpack full of explosives.
Around 11:30 a.m., 33-year-old David Kennedy walked into the Hall of Justice building in downtown Louisville with a backpack on and said he had explosives in his backpack according to Col. Carl Yates with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said he stopped just inside he door holding a backpack in one hand and a lighter in the other.
Deputies swarmed Kennedy, got him on the ground, and took the backpack from him police said; the officers then tried to handcuff him, but he resisted arrest, and they pepper sprayed him.
Once authorities were able to place handcuffs on Kennedy, authorities said the Hall of Justice was evacuated and everyone inside was moved outside and across the street.
The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) Bomb Squad responded to the scene, cleared it, and were able to determine there were no explosives in the backpack.
Kennedy was put in an ambulance and taken to the hospital for observation, and to flush his eyes out after being pepper sprayed according to police. One deputy was also injured from the pepper spray; however, they recovered at the scene and didn't need to be taken to the hospital.
Officials say they aren't sure what Kennedy's motive could have been. Yates suspected he may have some mental health issues.
Yates said LMPD is charging Kennedy with first-degree terrorist threats. He said Jefferson County is charging Kennedy with second-degree criminal trespassing, third-degree assault, resisting arrest, and 15 counts of wanton endangerment.
Several streets were blocked off in the area during the incident and court was interrupted for many people.
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