Bomb Threat Called In To Bismarck Capitol

State Patrol investigating after Sunday night call about explosive device

Mar. 17, 2026 at 4:50pm

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North Dakota State Patrol is investigating a bomb threat at the Bismarck State Capitol. Bismarck Central Dispatch received a call around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday about a bomb being placed in the building. The Bismarck Bomb Squad and State Patrol responded, but no explosive device was found. The building was reopened around midnight as authorities review surveillance footage from the area.

Why it matters

Bomb threats at government buildings are taken extremely seriously as they can disrupt operations, raise public safety concerns, and require significant law enforcement resources to investigate. This incident highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and preparedness to respond to potential security threats at state capitols and other sensitive locations.

The details

According to authorities, Bismarck Central Dispatch received an anonymous call around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday night reporting that a bomb had been placed inside the Bismarck State Capitol building. The Bismarck Bomb Squad and North Dakota State Patrol immediately responded to the scene. After a thorough search, no explosive device was located, and the building was deemed safe and reopened around midnight. State Patrol is now reviewing surveillance footage from the area to try to identify the caller and determine the source of the threat.

  • The bomb threat call was received around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2026.
  • The building was reopened around midnight after no explosive device was found.

The players

North Dakota State Patrol

The state law enforcement agency responsible for investigating the bomb threat and securing the Bismarck State Capitol building.

Bismarck Central Dispatch

The emergency communications center that received the initial bomb threat call.

Bismarck Bomb Squad

The specialized law enforcement unit that responded to the scene to search for and identify any potential explosive devices.

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What’s next

State Patrol is continuing to investigate the source of the bomb threat by reviewing surveillance footage from the area around the Capitol building.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of robust security protocols and emergency response procedures at government buildings to quickly address potential threats and ensure public safety. Authorities will likely review their preparedness and response to this event to identify any areas for improvement.