Multiple state capitols were evacuated and locked down Wednesday morning due to a mass bomb threat that has not yielded any evidence of explosives.
Officials from Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Montana have each confirmed that an email was sent to government agencies claiming that a bomb was located inside government offices, according to The Associated Press.
Michon Lindstrom, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office, explained that the threat came from “a mass email sent to several (Secretaries of State) and state offices across the country,” according to CNN.
Michigan State Police spokesperson Lori Dougovito stated that there were “similar threats sent to government agencies across the country” that resulted in the closure and evacuation of multiple government offices, according to NBC News.
Dougovito added that the investigation is ongoing, and the Michigan State Capitol “will remain closed for the rest of the day.”
A copy of the email sent to government offices in at least 23 states was obtained by CNN and claimed that a bomb is located in “your state Capitol,” but the email does not clarify which specific state.
The threat affected Capitol proceedings in Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, and Mississippi, though none of the states reported finding any explosives on the property, per CNN.
Gabriel Sterling, the chief operating officer in the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State, posted on social media to confirm the threats but urged everyone to remain calm.
“Do not jump to conclusions as to who is responsible. There will be chaos agents sowing discord for 2024. They want to increase tensions. Don’t let them,” wrote Sterling.
Multiple other states, including Wyoming, received the email but did not shut down operations since the threat was not deemed to be credible, per The AP.
A statement from the FBI said that the bureau is “aware of the numerous hoax incidents wherein a bomb threat at a state Capitol is made.”
“The FBI takes hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk. While we have no information to indicate a specific and credible threat, we will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to gather, share, and act upon threat information as it comes to our attention. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any and all suspicious activity and/or individuals to law enforcement immediately,” adds the bureau in the statement, per CNN.