FOLKSTON, Ga. – A large law enforcement response shut down part of Main Street for hours on Wednesday. For hours, it was unclear what happened, and rumors swirled, but on Thursday afternoon, officials provided some clarity.
Folkston police and the Charlton County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to 3781 Main Street at about 6:39 p.m. on June 10 after reports of multiple shots being fired, a Folkston Police Department press release said.
The caller reportedly said he was going to “blow this location up” and claimed to have several bombs; law enforcement was also told two people were being held hostage and one person had been shot, the release said.
Assisting agencies include the Georgia State Patrol SWAT Team, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation bomb technician unit and Charlton EMS.
A search warrant for the property at 3781 Main Street was obtained and executed, but no suspects, victims or hostages were located at the residence or business, and authorities said there is no known immediate threat to the community. The investigation remains active, the release said.
On Thursday, News4JAX saw a shattered window on a door at the City of Folkston and Charlton County Development Authority building, and several residents told the station much of the activity appeared centered around that building. It is unclear if the damage is related to the reported incident.
The Charlton County Emergency Management Agency warned people to avoid Main Street between Okefenokee Parkway and U.S. 1 while crews worked the scene and urged the public not to share photos, videos or livestreams that could interfere with the investigation.
A Facebook post Thursday from Charlton County EMA said, in part, that “there is no known immediate threat to the Folkston and Charlton County community at this time” and praised the coordinated response by local and partner agencies.
Residents described surprise and concern as multiple agencies and SWAT teams operated downtown.
“Folkston is a quiet, peaceful town, so to know something like this happened came with shock,” Stacey Pettey said. “I don’t know the outcome of what all happened, but I hope all law enforcement are safe.”
Kimberly Brann, another resident, said she first learned of the activity through social media and watched information circulate throughout the day.
“At first, when I saw the post on Facebook, everything was crazy. It went on all day and all night,” Brann said.
After rumors circulated online, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office said it doesn’t know of any Nassau County suspect who fled to Charlton.
“We are aware of social media posts about this. But as of right now, we have no confirmed reports about a suspect from Nassau that’s fled to Charlton,” a spokesperson said.