In a disturbing turn of events, downtown Lancaster was evacuated on Saturday afternoon following bomb threats that specifically targeted the canceled Drag Queen Story Hour event at the Lancaster Public Library. The threats also included the home addresses of key individuals associated with the library and the LGBTQ+ community.

The evacuation order was issued after an email was received at 12:07 p.m., stating that pipe bombs and fuel bombs had been planted and were set to detonate at 1:30 p.m. The email also contained hateful and derogatory language towards members of the community. Authorities immediately took action to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.

As a precautionary measure, the police barricaded the area, closing off the 100 block of Queen Street, while the Lancaster County Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) deployed their BearCat special response vehicle. K-9 units were also brought in to assist in clearing the affected areas, including the Lancaster Public Library.

Earlier in the day, the Drag Queen Story Hour was canceled due to the discovery of a suspicious package inside the library. A canine alerted to the package, raising concerns among authorities. However, subsequent investigation confirmed that the contents were benign.

The evacuation order was finally lifted at 3:16 p.m., and by 3:30 p.m., downtown streets were reopened, and people began filling the sidewalks. No explosives were found during the thorough search conducted by law enforcement.

This incident caused significant disruption not only in downtown Lancaster but also at the Zenkaikon pop-culture convention, which had drawn a large number of attendees to the Lancaster County Convention Center. The threats not only targeted the LGBTQ+ community but also disrupted the lives of thousands of residents and visitors.

Authorities emphasized the seriousness of bomb threats, condemning them as disruptive and wasteful of valuable public resources. Chief Richard Mendez of Reading, Massachusetts, another town that experienced a similar threat targeting their public library, stated that such threats would not be tolerated, and those responsible would be held accountable.

Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace expressed the city's commitment to the safety of its residents and vowed to ensure that those responsible for the threats would face consequences. She condemned the use of fear to manipulate and control the community, emphasizing the city's dedication to loving and supporting all its residents.

Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that threatening violence towards anyone is unacceptable and criminal. Law enforcement agencies are diligently investigating to identify the source of the threats and urged anyone with information to come forward.

While the threats were ultimately unfounded, the incident has left a lingering sense of fear, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. In the face of adversity, the city remains unwavering in its support for its diverse population and will continue to stand against hate and discrimination.

The incident serves as a reminder of the impact that hate-filled messages can have on communities. It underscores the importance of unity, understanding, and a collective commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their background or identity.