Police issue all-clear after Wrigley Field bomb threat evacuation

Wrigley Field was evacuated on Sunday due to a bomb threat that Chicago police deemed credible. An all-clear was issued less than an hour after the evacuation.

Police issued an all-clear on Sunday less than an hour after evacuating Wrigley Field due to a bomb threat, reports John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.

A Chicago policeman told Shea that despite receiving bomb threats regularly, the one they received on Sunday was believed to be credible.

Bomb-sniffing dogs and police searched the Chicago Cubs' ballpark, which David Haugh of the Chicago Tribunedescribed as “empty” by the time he exited, he reported. Most of the 39,000 fans who attended the afternoon game would have already left after its completion, but media, players, grounds crew workers and anyone else inside was ordered to leave, Haugh reported.

Cubs starter Jake Arrieta tossed a gem, allowing four hits in 7 2/3 shutout innings, stifling the San Francisco Giants in a 2–0 victory. Chicago increased its lead to 3 1/2 games over San Francisco for the second NL Wild Card spot. The Cubs recorded their first four-game sweep over the Giants since 1977 and their 10th win in 11 games.

The Cubs issued the following statement after the incident: 

“Following our game this afternoon, we received a bomb threat and took swift action to clear the few remaining fans, players, staff and media from the ballpark. After a thorough search by law enforcement, no evidence was found to suggest this threat was credible. We take safety at Wrigley Field seriously and are working with law enforcement authorities to pursue the person who initiated this threat.”

- Erin Flynn