KEMAH, Texas – Authorities are searching for a man who called in multiple bomb threats targeting a Walmart in Kemah during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, according to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and Kemah police.
The call came in just after 4 p.m. Sunday from what appeared to be a disguised or voice-altered number, Kemah Police Chief Raymond Garivey said. The male caller claimed several bombs had been planted inside the Walmart on FM 518 near Highway 146 and demanded a $10,000 ransom within 30 minutes or he would detonate the devices.
“We immediately got here to the store. We had everyone exit, including the employees,” Chief Garivey said. “We called in an explosives canine to do a search, and we’ve been given the all-clear.”
The store was evacuated as officers and bomb-sniffing dogs searched every aisle. No explosive devices were found.
Garivey said Kemah officers quickly learned they weren’t the only agency responding to a threat Sunday.
“We received information Seabrook got a call of a bomb threat, and so did League City,” he said. Investigators said none of those locations reported finding an actual device.
The threat caused chaos for shoppers and delivery drivers. Danielle Poole, who works for the Spark shopping app, said she arrived around 4:30 p.m. to pick up an order when she suddenly saw crowds rushing from the store.
“Everybody was running from the entrance like it was a fire,” Poole said. “A lady standing there just said one word — ‘bomb.’”
Poole said the evacuation meant she couldn’t complete her order — something she relies on for income. “It’s not funny,” she said. “People’s lives could be hurt, you know. And we’re all struggling.”
Chief Garivey emphasized how serious the threat was, especially during Black Friday weekend.
“You’re stopping business. You’re threatening lives. You’re putting first responders at harm,” he said. “It will not be tolerated.”
Kemah Police say they are coordinating with Seabrook and League City investigators, and expect to involve federal partners such as the FBI and Texas DPS to help trace the call and identify the suspect.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not released a description of the caller.