KEYSTONE, S.D. – A suspicious package forced the evacuation of a business parking lot in Keystone on Friday evening before bomb technicians cleared the scene, according to the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the report at approximately 7:30 p.m. on July 3, 2026. Because of the nature of the call, emergency personnel evacuated the immediate area as a safety precaution. Keystone is a high-traffic tourism hub located just minutes outside of Rapid City.

The incident occurred as nearby Mount Rushmore National Memorial hosted high-profile Freedom 250 festivities, which included a keynote address by President Donald Trump and a return of the landmark’s Independence Day fireworks.

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation Bomb Squad was called to the scene in Keystone. DCI bomb technicians evaluated the package and determined it was safe, allowing authorities to reopen the area to the public.

“The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the patience and cooperation of those who were evacuated while the incident was being resolved,” the agency said in a statement. “We recognize the inconvenience this caused and thank the public for their understanding as responders worked to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.”

Multiple agencies from the greater Rapid City area assisted during the incident, including the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and Pennington County Search and Rescue.