Pennsylvania State Capitol Evacuated Following Bomb Threat
On Saturday, the Pennsylvania State Capitol complex was abruptly vacated following a bomb threat that was received by over 250 individuals, including every member of the Pennsylvania House and Senate.
Government officials and staff members in Pennsylvania got an alarming email with the subject line “my manifesto” shortly after 5:45 p.m. on Saturday. The email contained a threatening message stating that “highly lethal” explosive devices had been strategically placed in and around the Pennsylvania State Capitol and Pennsylvania Judicial Center under the banner of Palestine.
The anonymous sender pledged to detonate these devices hourly unless President Biden publicly discontinued all aid and support for Israel on national television.
“I plan on triggering one device every few hours until Joe Biden goes on national television and publicly denounces the illegitimate state of Israel,” the email said. “Keep in mind, I am inside one of the two buildings armed w/ a knife, and plan on remaining here to my dying breath!”
In response to this threat, Michelle Richwine, a special assistant at the Office of Chief Clerk for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, sent out an urgent email to all Capitol employees. The message instructed everyone to evacuate immediately and avoid reentry until clearance from Capitol Police.
A group of staff members who gathered outside the complex revealed to Penn Live that the complex was sparsely populated when the evacuation order was given around 6:15 p.m.
President Biden is expected to appear at a local business in Harrisburg on Sunday.
One lawmaker stated that as of 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, police were still conducting sweeps of the complex. Law enforcement personnel could be seen using K-9 units in an attempt to locate potential explosive devices.
The communications director for the Pennsylvania Department of General services issued a statement to WGAL while the search operation was ongoing.
“On Saturday, the Pennsylvania Capitol Police evacuated the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex and Judicial Center after a bomb threat was emailed to all members of the House of Representatives and Senate. The Capitol Police immediately worked with House and Senate security, as well as the Office of the PA Courts, to issue an immediate evacuation notice to those in the buildings,” they said.
“Capitol Police did not find any explosives during a K9 search of the perimeter of the Capitol Complex. Capitol Police and the FBI are still actively conducting a comprehensive search and investigation in coordination with the Pennsylvania State Police, House and Senate security, and the Dauphin County Sheriff’s office to ensure the safety of the area.”
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