UPDATE FEB. 23, 3 p.m.: A suspected military grade explosive that forced the closure of Kent City Hall and nearby buildings on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026 has been safely removed, and officials said the campus will reopen shortly.
The Kent City Hall campus was closed Monday afternoon, after a suspected military grade undetonated explosive was brought to the site, according to the Kent Police Department.
The device was safely removed, and officials said the campus would reopen shortly.
West Gowe Street was closed for a while between 4th Ave South and 2nd Ave South, authorities said.
Police issued the original announcement at 1:36 p.m. Monday afternoon.
THE DEVICE HAS BEEN SAFELY REMOVED AND THE BUILDINGS WILL BE REOPENED SHORTLY pic.twitter.com/7h2OpbH7aV
— Kent Police (@kentpd) February 23, 2026
CITY HALL, POLICE STATION & CENTENNIAL BUILDING ARE ALL CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO A SUSPECTED BOMB ON CAMPUS. pic.twitter.com/OOxCCT6pIk
— Kent Police (@kentpd) February 23, 2026
