Crime
Suspect involved in I-85 bomb threat identified as Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported that a routine traffic stop escalated into a bomb threat Thursday afternoon, resulting in the closure of all lanes on I-85 near Greenville, South Carolina, for several hours.
At approximately 2:45 p.m., the South Carolina State Transport Police conducted a traffic stop on a tractor-trailer near mile marker 44 on I-85 due to the vehicle’s missing license plate. During the stop, the driver allegedly claimed that an explosive device was inside the commercial vehicle.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office SWAT and Bomb squads, were immediately called to the scene.
The highway, near Exit 44 at White Horse Road, was completely shut down to ensure public safety while investigations were conducted.
The incident caused significant delays, with a traffic backup lasting over four hours.
Crews worked methodically to assess the situation, and by 7:40 p.m., officials determined there were no explosive devices in the vehicle. The highway was reopened, and the area was declared safe for public travel.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was identified as Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi. Following the investigation, Alhendi was taken into custody by the South Carolina State Transport Police.
He is facing multiple charges, including:
- Conveying false information regarding a bomb threat
- Breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature
- Operating an unregistered vehicle
Alhendi appeared before a judge on Friday, where he was issued a total surety bond of $20,238 for all charges.
The response to the incident involved multiple agencies, including the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the FBI, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Their coordinated efforts ensured public safety and the swift resolution of the threat.
South Carolina Senator Karl Allen, representing Senate District 7, issued a statement:
“The state agencies involved include SCDOT, SLED, and State Transport Police with support from the Greenville County Sheriff’s SWAT/Bomb Squad and the FBI. I have asked that, due to this being an active scene, we ensure a wide perimeter to protect all citizens who live in Senate District 7. Until further information is available, we will continue to monitor this situation with the SCHP.”
Although no explosive device was found, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the swift response of law enforcement. The coordinated efforts of local, state, and federal agencies ensured the safety of the public while addressing the threat.
DALLAS, Texas – Surveillance video captures the moment 17-year-old Tracy Haynes entered a classroom, then returned to the hallway where he opened fire on a group of students before fleeing the scene.
Four students were injured, including three with gunshot wounds, after a shooting occurred Tuesday afternoon at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in southern Dallas.
The incident marks the second shooting on the same campus in just over a year.
Dallas Independent School District (DISD) officials said the shooting was reported at approximately 1:00 p.m., prompting an immediate and large-scale emergency response.
Students were seen evacuating the main school building as police worked to secure the scene and search for the suspect.
According to Dallas Fire-Rescue, four students — ranging in age from 15 to 18 years old — were transported to area hospitals.
Three of the students sustained gunshot wounds, while a fourth suffered a musculoskeletal injury to the lower body.
Their injuries were described as ranging from serious to non-life-threatening.
“This is the unthinkable — and sadly, it’s becoming all too familiar,” said DISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
“No student, teacher, or parent should have to fear violence in a place meant for learning.”
The suspected gunman was identified shortly after the incident, and by 9:32 p.m., 17-year-old Tracy Haynes was taken into custody and booked into the Dallas County Jail.
He is charged with aggravated assault – mass shooting, and his bail was set at $600,000.
It is unclear at this time whether Haynes has obtained legal representation.
Officials confirmed the firearm used in the shooting did not enter the building during the school’s primary intake period, when students are screened through metal detectors and subject to clear backpack policies.
However, authorities declined to say how the weapon entered the premises, or what events led to the shooting inside the school.
“We can confirm that this was not a failure of our staff, of our protocols, or the equipment in place,” said Assistant Chief Christina Smith with the DISD Police Department. “But this is still a very fluid and ongoing investigation.”
More than 20 law enforcement units responded to the shooting, including Dallas ISD Police, the Dallas Police Department, and federal partners from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Texas Governor Greg Abbott was briefed on the situation and offered state resources to assist in the aftermath.
In response to the incident, district leaders announced that classes would be canceled for the remainder of the week, and counseling services would be made available to all students and staff affected by the shooting.
A reunification site was quickly established at Eagles Stadium, where parents were asked to bring photo identification to retrieve their children.
This incident comes almost exactly one year after a student was shot inside a classroom at Wilmer-Hutchins High School, further heightening concerns over school safety in the district.
Authorities urge anyone with additional information related to the incident to come forward as the investigation continues.