Bomb threat shuts down CSKT Tribal Complex

Authorities are searching for a person suspected of making a bomb threat via a phone call that ended up closing the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ complex on Thursday, April 29.

Tribal Police officers, working with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, used cellphone data to identify where the call originated. Montana State Patrol and University of Montana Police also helped with the investigation.

An explosives-detecting canine unit was brought in from the University of Montana to clear office buildings in Pablo. Tribal officials said essential workers could return to the buildings Friday.

After Council was alerted of a non-specific bomb threat directed at the Tribal Complex in Pablo, the governing body voted to dismiss all employees in those offices while law enforcement investigated. Alerts were sent out by email, and a cellphone emergency notice was sent to employees.