Pressure cooker at Everett gas station placed to intimidate, police say

EVERETT -- A suspicious package found at an Everett gas station was a pressure cooker possibly placed to intimidate people on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, police said.

Everett police received reports of a suspicious package around 5:45 a.m. at a Fred Meyer near the intersection of 19th Avenue and 132nd Street Southeast. Witnesses said a car drove up to a gas station, dropped off a package and then drove away.

A customer witnessed the goings on and called 911.

Police cordoned off the area and the bomb squad detonated the device. The package was a pressure cooker -- much like the one used in the Boston Marathon bombings -- but it was not filled with any explosive devices or shrapnel.

Northbound and southbound traffic on the Bothell-Everett Highway was stopped for about 10 minutes during the investigation.

Police are investigating the incident and anyone with information is asked to call 911 or the Everett Police Department tip line at 425-257-8450.