Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi, a Jordanian national, has been identified as the suspect responsible for the hours-long shutdown of Interstate 85 near Greenville, South Carolina.
The chaos unfolded after Alhendi allegedly issued a bomb threat during a routine traffic stop on Thursday, prompting a massive law enforcement response involving SWAT teams, bomb squads, and federal agencies.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation reported severe backups near Exit 44 at White Horse Road as authorities scrambled to address the threat.
Greenville County deputies, along with the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) bomb squad and the FBI, were deployed to neutralize the potential danger. Governor Henry McMaster confirmed that the shutdown was a precautionary measure taken “out of an abundance of caution.”
“I-85 near mile marker 44 is temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution due to a bomb threat issued during a routine traffic stop this afternoon by SC Transport Police,” Governor McMaster said.
“SCDOT and state law enforcement are on the scene, and normal I-85 traffic will resume once the tractor trailer is swept and cleared by SELD’s bomb squad.”
BREAKING: Police have shutdown I-85 in Greenville County, South Carolina due to a bomb threat involving this 18-wheeler. pic.twitter.com/BUmY6LXSnK
— Dapper Detective (@Dapper_Det) January 2, 2025
Alhendi, 28, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature, conveying false information about a bomb threat, and operating a vehicle without a valid license. His bond was set at $20,238 cash, according to WYFF4.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on Alhendi, identifying him as a Jordanian national who entered the United States legally in 2018 but subsequently violated the terms of his admission.
He now faces deportation proceedings, with a hearing scheduled for August 2026.
WATCH:
JUST IN: The suspect who caused a shutdown of I-85 in Greenville, South Carolina, with a bomb threat has been identified
Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi is charged with “breach of peace of high and aggravated nature,” “conveying false information about a bomb threat,” and “no… pic.twitter.com/senwUyn2V7
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) January 3, 2025
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