CUSTER, S.D. – The Custer County Chronicle reported a bomb threat called into Custer County dispatch on Saturday night proved to be a hoax after a thorough search of the Custer Volunteer Fire Department and Custer City Hall. The incident briefly cordoned off a portion of the town.
According to information supplied by the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, the threat involved a caller stating they had murdered their partner and placed an explosive device at the fire department. Authorities secured the area and cleared the fire department and City Hall as a precaution.
A bomb-sniffing dog from Ellsworth Air Force Base was deployed to the scene to assist in the search. No explosives were located during the sweep of the buildings.
Investigators later determined that the call was a hoax. The origin of the threat was traced to a location outside of the Custer area, and that information remains under investigation.