Jackson Free Press

Jackson police blocked streets surrounding the Jackson Women's Health Organization in Fondren and "detonated" a package of clothes and personal items.

Police say that a man from Louisiana, Lawrence Dean Wright, 47, left a black duffel bag at the front door of the clinic, which is the site of frequent anti-abortion protests, before visiting St. Dominic's Hospital.

Police discovered the package around 2 p.m. and asked store patrons and owners to evacuate the area around Fondren Place and State Street on either side of the building, though the evacuation was not mandatory.

JPD's Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit arrived and expelled the contents of the bag using a disrupter. JPD Spokesperson Jeffrey Scott said that Wright returned to the clinic to reclaim his bag after police were on the scene.

"He told us what was in it, and that he didn't realize what type of facility it was, but in the interest of public safety we had to make sure that we examined everything possible," Scott said.

Police have Wright in custody. They were not sure exactly when Wright had left the package, but are investigating Wright's claims that he is a wanted man in a municipality in Tennessee.