Alex Murdaugh trial suspended as courtroom evacuated over bomb threat

The murder trial of disbarred South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was suspended on Wednesday after the Colleton County Court House where the trial is underway received a bomb threat, according to police.

"A bomb threat was received by Colleton County Courthouse personnel. The building has been evacuated," the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said. The state agency is investigating the threat with the local sheriff's office. 

The public is urged to use an "alternate route of travel" as crowds evacuating the courthouse gather outside. 

Murdaugh, who is on trial for allegedly shooting his youngest son and his wife, was taken away from the courthouse in a police car after the bomb threat, Fox News reported.

Judge Clifton Newman ordered the evacuation around 12:30 p.m. He sent jurors to lunch and ordered them to be back by 2:30 p.m., which may not be possible given the threat.