Gun-shaped lighter sparks court evacuation

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Authorities in Florida said a reported gun that sparked the evacuation of two court buildings was later discovered to be a cigarette lighter.

Officials said they are investigating why the sheriff's office was not notified and the evacuation begun until nearly three hours after Hillsborough County Courthouse security staff noticed the suspected semi-automatic weapon on an X-ray screening machine at 9 a.m. Wednesday, The Tampa (Fla.) Tribune reported Thursday.

"My understanding is that there was a significant delay before they notified our court security bureau," sheriff's Col. Jim Previtera said.

"Frustrated is an understatement," Previtera said. "I was angry and I didn't want to hear anything else. I wanted action and I wanted it to be taken care of."

Security officials said the bag containing the suspected weapon had been removed from the X-ray machine before they could take action and the owner of the bag had entered the courthouse.

However, a Tampa police officer recognized the woman who was carrying the bag from a security tape Wednesday afternoon and authorities learned the reported gun had been a gun-shaped cigarette lighter the woman had confiscated from her nephew.