UPDATE: Police, FBI working to ‘ensure safety of area’ after bomb threat at Pa. Capitol
The State Capitol Complex was evacuated Saturday after more than 250 people, including all Republican and Democratic members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, received an email threatening to detonate “highly lethal” devices there until President Joe Biden publicly denounces Israel.
The email, sent around 5:45 p.m. with the subject line “My manifesto,” said lead azide devices were hidden in and around the Pennsylvania State Capitol and Pennsylvania Judicial Center “In the name of Palestine.”
Capitol Police told PennLive they are aware of the threat but will not be commenting on the incident at this time.
“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!”
Michelle Richwine, a special assistant at the Office of Chief Clerk for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, sent a mass email to people in the Capitol that said:
“Attention House Members and Staff – Vacate the Capitol Complex immediately. Do not reenter until cleared by Capitol Police.”
A half dozen Senate staff members gathered outside the building told PennLive there were very few people in the building when they were told by Capitol police to leave around 6:15 p.m. because they were “sweeping the building.” Legislative staff were working this weekend on the state budget which has yet to be finalized.
State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro confirmed the situation in post on X around 7 p.m.
Can confirm. I’m tired of the foolery and unhinged behavior. Let’s hope they find this menace. https://t.co/Pou315jmEZ
— REP. RYAN BIZZARRO (@RyanBizzarro) July 6, 2024
(PennLive’s Zack Hoopes and Jan Murphy contributed to this story)
