Latest News
Multiple State Capitols Locked Down, Evacuated After Bomb Threats
Published
7 months agoon
Civil unrest reared its ugly head again today as multiple state capitol buildings were locked down amid bomb threats.
Police agencies across the country responded to threatening messages. Out of an abundance of caution, about were briefly locked down.
Thankfully, no explosives have been found or incidents reported.
The lockdowns follow a series of swatting (false reporting) incidents. Reports of shootings at the homes of public officials have put law enforcement agencies on edge.
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Maine’s Secretary of State Shenna Bellows both report being ‘swatted’ in the last two weeks.
Other public officials recently targeted include US Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY), US Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
Capitol buildings in Connecticut, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Montana evacuated facilities and implemented lockdown measures on Wednesday morning.
A bomb threat has prompted the Kentucky state Capitol to be evacuated Wednesday morning. In a post on social media, Governor Andy Beshear says everyone is safe. Similar threats have been made in Georgia and Mississippi. https://t.co/rbscRxhZTa pic.twitter.com/RhLRxyTUjd
— WLWT (@WLWT) January 3, 2024
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear posted that the Capitol was evacuated while state police investigated a threat received by the Secretary of State’s Office.
Beshear added the threat was received as Kentucky lawmakers were gathered in the Capitol annex for ethics training.
According to Gov. Andy Beshear, Kentucky State Police called for the evacuation after the Secretary of State’s Office received an alleged threat. https://t.co/JW2pW0aRwl
— Bob Mueller (@bobmuellerwkrn) January 3, 2024
State buildings in Kentucky and Mississippi have reopened after search teams gave the “all-clear” sign. Inspections of facilities in Mississippi included bomb-sniffing dogs.
Bailey Martin, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, said: “This is an ongoing investigation and there is no further threat to the Capitol or surrounding buildings.”
The New York Post reported that most statehouse closures were brief. Megan Grotzke, spokesperson for the Department of Administration, reported that Montana’s Capitol reopened within two hours.
Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Kyle McKay reported that a “mass email” threat was sent to multiple “state entities.” Some of the agencies did not close as the email was not deemed a true security issue.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
