Bakersfield Police officials said the bomb squad was called in after a suspicious package was found on Mohawk St. on Wednesday.

BPD officials said at about 10:00 a.m., they received a report of a suspicious backpack at an office building in the 800 Blk. of Mohawk St.

An employee, who opened the backpack, said they saw what they believed to be bomb making components.

When officers arrived, they evacuated the office building where the backpack was located and closed Mohawk St. between Truxtun Extension and California Ave. to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Where the situation happened: 

The Bomb Squad responded and examined the contents of the backpack.

They determined that it did not contain any bomb making components or explosives; however, they located a functional “zip-gun” inside that was loaded with a live12 gauge shotgun shell.

A “zip-gun” is an improvised firearm that is manufactured by someone other than a licensed firearms company. They are illegal and persons found possessing them are subject to arrest and incarceration.

Viewers contacted the 23ABC newsroom and informed us on heavy police presence in the area.