Two concealed devices made with fireworks were found at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa in Florida, prompting an investigation by the Seminole police and the FBI. The discovery led to the casino being evacuated twice as a precaution while a bomb squad handled the devices.
A 'crude concealed device with fireworks components' was located at the casino shortly before midnight on Sunday. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Disposal Team, along with the Seminole Police Department, successfully deactivated the device. The discovery of the device in a men’s room adjacent to the casino prompted the immediate evacuation of part of the building.
After the first device was rendered safe and removed, the casino was able to reopen around 3 a.m. on Monday. However, the situation took another turn when a second hidden device, believed to be related to the first, was found in a men’s room in the mezzanine area of the casino later that day. This discovery led to another evacuation of the affected area.
The investigation into the incidents involved a review of casino surveillance video, which ultimately led to the discovery of the second device. With the assistance of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Disposal Team, the second device was also deactivated and removed from the premises.
Following the successful removal of the second device, all areas of the casino have since reopened to the public. Authorities continue to investigate the incidents to determine the motive behind the placement of the concealed devices at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa.
