The Hamilton County Courthouse in Cincinnati was evacuated on Tuesday due to a suspicious item, later identified as a grenade-shaped perfume bottle, according to the Associated Press.
The perfume bottle was shaped like a World War II "pineapple" hand grenade and carried by a woman in her suitcase. Authorities initiated an immediate evacuation of the courthouse at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday after they noticed a suspicious looking item in a security screening. The courthouse remained closed for the rest of the day.
Officials said security personnel flagged the woman, identified as Felicia Brock, after her suitcase went through an x-ray machine. Bomb-sniffing K-9 units later "alerted" the authorities after sniffing the suitcase, indicating that the case contains explosive material, according to WCPO.
As a Muslim wearing a hijab, Brock said she felt discriminated against. "I didn't do anything wrong," she said. "I just came in here for court minding my own business."
Brock is homeless and carried all of her possessions to the courthouse, including the grenade-shaped perfume. She said she was interrogated for several hours and was told that she was under arrest, even as she tried to give authorities an explanation.
"I was like 'There's nothing in there,'" she said. "'There's just perfume and my belongings,' and they basically discriminated against me. I didn't do nothing. I just came here for court."
Brock has not been charged with any crimes but she is considering filling a lawsuit, according to Fox 28.
