[FickleRaptor]

Having been there personally, there’s a lot of unknown. But here’s the core of what happened as I saw it and as I gained information from friends with internal con communications access. A package was identified as suspicious, likely by defcon staff and Caesar’s security was called to investigate. Caesar’s security decided it may have represented a threat and asked Defcon staff to evacuate the building. Goons began calmly notifying and clearing rooms pushing people to the west exits toward Linq and Harrahs. People grabbed their stuff and calmly walked out. Most people appeared to recognize that it was likely a false alarm. Nobody panicked. Several thousand people exited promptly and without incident. Bags were not searched on exit. This was not a ploy to search personal property without a warrant because almost everything got taken with the attendees who brought it. It is possible the bag/box/package had gunpowder/tannerite/rdx/etc residue on it from shooting activities either part of the Defcon shoot or other shooting activities unrelated to Defcon. It is unlikely that Defcon will release any additional detail past this: https://x.com/defcon/status/1690740778124115969?s=46&t=WtjuZ... A lot of people are teasing their friends about leaving their bags unattended and causing it. These are jokes and should not be taken seriously. I was startled at the professionalism shown by Caesar’s, Defcon staff, and attendees. Vetcon was cancelled midstream and the main stage party was cancelled as well. DJ gear was left behind for the evening. Much of the con moved to the Linq bar. Don’t make stupid assumptions about any of this.

[andromaton]

They waited for the guy to finish his karaoke song to ask everyone to clear that room. It was a weird combination of "this is serious", "don't ask", and "don't want to bother you"

[red-iron-pine]

maybe they were enjoying the song?

[andromaton]

I assume sarcasm. Audience definitely enjoying song.

[jetbalsa]

There is some scuttle butt from some of the goon's I've been overhearing, It was a package with a planted scent/treat package that they use to train the bomb dogs. You can imagine what happened from there. I suspect it was a attendee playing a bad practical joke on DEF CON

[FickleRaptor]

There’s a lot of scuttlebutt aka rumor about the situation. There’s little value in idle speculation on this topic. There’s been no suggestion of this on the con internal staff channels that I can identify. Which makes me think it’s a BS suggestion.