On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at around 7:00 a.m., a suspicious incident unfolded at the Tarrant County Plaza Building located at 200 Taylor St. in downtown Fort Worth. A white Styrofoam ice chest containing a threatening note directed towards law enforcement was discovered on the building's front porch.
In response to the potential threat, the Tarrant County Plaza Building, housing various county offices including the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, was promptly evacuated. Tarrant County Sheriff’s personnel and the Fort Worth Police Department secured the area, overseeing the evacuation process. The Fort Worth Fire Department’s Bomb Squad was called in to inspect the contents of the ice chest. Thankfully, no explosive device was found, and it was determined that the items and note were left to cause alarm.
Following the clearance of the scene, normal business operations resumed in the building. Subsequent investigations by Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigators led to the identification of the suspect as 42-year-old Austin James Starkey, known to drive a yellow Ford Focus. Witnesses observed the vehicle leaving the scene shortly after the package and note were placed on the porch.
A warrant for Starkey's arrest was obtained on charges of Terroristic Threat, classified as a 3rd-degree felony. Later the same afternoon, Tarrant County Sheriff’s Deputies, along with the US Marshall’s Task Force, located and apprehended Starkey in Dallas. Currently, Starkey is in custody at the Tarrant County Jail and his bond has been set at $200,000.
