Walmart closed after reports of a suspicious package, Salisbury police say

A Walmart in Salisbury will remain closed after reports of a suspicious package, according to police.

The Salisbury Police Department said it was called to the Walmart on Arlington Street after employees discovered a suspicious item just after 5 a.m.

Employees were then evacuated from the store by Walmart management, according to police.

Police said several agencies responded to the scene, including Salisbury Fire, paramedics, and the bomb squad with the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office.

Walmart employee Debra Atkins said she was driving to work when officers turned her away at the parking lot.

“A suspicious package you don’t know what’s in it, you know, you don’t know what could happen,” Atkins said.

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Just after 9 a.m. Channel 9 crews at the scene heard a loud boom near the entrance of the Walmart.

Around 10 a.m., police announced that the bomb squad had destroyed the suspicious package and later confirmed it was safe.

Salisbury Police Chief Jerry Stokes told Channel 9 that the Walmart employees did everything right.

“I believe Walmart did the right thing by ensuring everyone’s safety when they found something that did appear suspicious, that did not appear normal, and letting us know and letting us do things to ensure everyone’s safety,” Stokes said.

Walmart officials will remain closed throughThursday. It is expected to reopen on Friday.

(WATCH BELOW: CMPD: Bomb squad investigating after resolving situation with suspicious package in uptown Charlotte)