Several Capitol buildings were evacuated on Wednesday after receiving bomb threats, however, law enforcement declared them all to be hoaxes since no explosives were discovered.
State officials and law enforcement have confirmed that Hawaii, Minnesota, Connecticut, Montana, Maine, Georgia, Mississippi, Iowa, Michigan, and Kentucky all received bomb threats.
NINE state Capitols evacuated or locked down over bomb threats on same day after mass hoax email warned of hidden explosives that would make sure 'you all end up dead'
Capitols of Hawaii, Minnesota, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Maine, and Montana were… pic.twitter.com/uM4BQgk9BE
— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) January 3, 2024
Each state reported receiving emails about explosives being located in their capitol buildings. According to ABC News, the emails warned that multiple explosives would go off in a matter of hours.
“The FBI takes hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk,” the FBI said in a statement. “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.”
Many state officials updated the public on the situation on social media. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) posted on X that while everyone was safe, the police were investigating the bomb threat.
While everyone is safe, KSP has asked everyone to evacuate the state Capitol and is investigating a threat received by the Secretary of State’s Office. We are aware of similar threats made to other offices across the country. 1/2
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) January 3, 2024
The Michigan State Police made several X posts about the bomb threats, stating they received notice via email around 7:45 a.m. and that the state capitol would remain closed.
In response to a bomb threat made involving the Michigan State Capitol Building in Lansing, we can confirm a threat was emailed to a general account for the Michigan State Capitol Commission around 7:45 a.m. today, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. We are aware of similar threats 1/2
— MSP First District (@MSPFirstDist) January 3, 2024
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) made a similar X post and thanked Capitol Police for their immediate response.
Today a bomb threat was made against our Mississippi Capitol building. Thankfully, the situation is clear.
I’m incredibly thankful to the Capitol Police and all the Mississippi law enforcement officers who immediately responded to the incident.
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) January 3, 2024
Montana Department of Administration spokeswoman Megan Grotzke released a statement saying that the bomb threat received by the state capitol was “found to be not credible,” and that the building reopened after a sweep was completed, according to CBS.
Maine Capitol Police Chief Matthew Clancy confirmed the bomb threat on the capitol building to NEWS CENTER Maine, stating receiving a threat via email around 1:45 p.m.
ABC News reported that other states, including Wyoming, Oklahoma, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Missouri, and Maryland had also received bomb threats, but didn’t close.
The bomb threats are part of a nationwide hoax and come after false reports of shootings at several politicians’ homes during Christmas, interrupting their holiday.
