CINCINNATI (AP) — An armed man decked out in physique armor tried to breach a safety screening space at an FBI subject workplace in Ohio on Thursday, then fled and exchanged gunfire in a standoff with legislation enforcement, authorities mentioned.
The confrontation on the FBI’s Cincinnati subject workplace comes as officers warn of a rise in threats in opposition to federal brokers within the days following a search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property in Florida.
Federal officers mentioned the person had “tried to breach” the customer’s screening space on the FBI workplace and fled when he was confronted by brokers. He was chased onto Interstate 71 and has exchanged gunfire with police, in line with the Clinton County Emergency Administration Company.
Authorities have closed the interstate in each instructions as police remained in a standoff. No accidents have been instantly reported.
Officers in Ohio have locked down a mile radius close to the interstate and urged residents and enterprise house owners to lock doorways and keep inside.
An FBI proof group has arrived on the workplace to analyze, in line with a number of media reviews.
There have been rising threats in latest days in opposition to FBI brokers and workplaces throughout the nation since federal brokers executed a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago. On Gab, a social media web site common with white supremacists and antisemites, customers have warned they’re making ready for an armed revolution.
Federal officers have additionally been monitoring an array of different regarding chatter on Gab and different platforms threatening violence in opposition to federal brokers. FBI Director Christopher Wray denounced the threats as he visited one other FBI workplace in Nebraska on Wednesday.
“Violence in opposition to legislation enforcement isn’t the reply, irrespective of who you’re upset with,” Wray mentioned Wednesday in Omaha.
The FBI on Wednesday additionally warned its brokers to keep away from protesters and guarantee their safety key playing cards are “not seen outdoors FBI area,” citing a rise in social media threats to bureau personnel and amenities. It additionally warned brokers to pay attention to their environment and potential protesters.
The warning didn’t particularly point out this week’s search of Mar-a-Lago however attributed the web threats to “latest media reporting on FBI investigative exercise.”
