NORWALK – More than 100 people attending a community forum Wednesday were forced to evacuate the Social Services Center after one of the public speakers threatened he had an IED, or improvised explosive device, in his car outside.

It was during the public comment portion of the meeting that speaker Richard Lambert grew hostile, using expletives and the “N word” before threating he had the components of a bomb.

Sheriff’s officials removed Lambert from the meeting and handcuffed him in the hallway. A Norwalk Patriot reporter covering the forum asked Lambert if he had any comment and he replied, “Not at this time.”

The Social Services Center was evacuated, as were nearby homes. At around 11 p.m., the sheriff’s bomb squad cleared the scene, allowing residents to return home.

By Raul Samaniego and Eric Pierce