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Faux pipe bomb found on I-75, forcing closures
Just before the Friday afternoon rush, a suspect pipe bomb was found on the busy highway, first shutting down the southbound lanes, then the express lanes, and finally all lanes. After nearly 3 hours, the device was safely removed and the road reopened.
COBB COUNTY, Ga. - Cobb County police temporarily shut down Interstate 75 southbound Friday afternoon after a driver reported what looked like a pipe bomb on the roadway.
What we know:
Officials say the call came in to Cobb County 911 around 3:46 p.m. Police and Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services arrived and located the suspicious object, immediately closing the interstate to keep drivers away from it.
Traffic grinds to a halt as fire trucks and police block all southbound lanes of Interstate 75 near Terrell Mill Road during an active police response on Oct. 17, 2025.
The Cobb County Police Bomb Squad removed the device and loaded it into a containment truck. Once it was cleared, the interstate reopened.
Investigators say the item was a section of pipe with threaded end caps and wires on both ends. Bomb technicians inspected it and determined it was empty and contained no hazardous materials.
Traffic grinds to a halt as fire trucks and police block all southbound lanes of Interstate 75 near Terrell Mill Road during an active police response on Oct. 17, 2025.
Traffic was blocked until just before 6 p.m.
What they're saying:
Police said the closure was done out of an abundance of caution and thanked drivers for their patience. They urged residents to continue reporting any suspicious items or activity.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not said who may have placed the pipe on the interstate, whether it was intentionally staged, or if surveillance or witness evidence is being reviewed.
Traffic grinds to a halt as fire trucks and police block all southbound lanes of Interstate 75 near Terrell Mill Road during an active police response on Oct. 17, 2025. (Georgia Department of Transportation)
Police have also not disclosed how long the device may have been in the roadway before it was reported.
The Source: The Georgia Department of Transportation provided the details for this article. This article has been updated to give new details seen by SKYFOX 5 and add a statement from the Cobb County Police Department.