String Of State Capitols Evacuated In Response To Reports Of Bomb Threats

Officials in Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana said that local police so far have not found evidence of explosives.

A growing number of states across the country are reporting that they have received bomb threats to their Capitols on Wednesday morning ― just days after the Maine secretary of state expressed concern about her safety.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the states that have reported receiving bomb threats include Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana. The threats resulted in government buildings either proceeding with an evacuation or a lockdown as police searched the area, but local authorities so far have not found evidence of dangerous items.

Gabriel Sterling, the operating officer for the Georgia secretary of state’s office, said earlier Wednesday that a bomb threat was delaying the state Capitol from opening.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety said it determined the threat was not credible after conducting a sweep of the building. According to the department, the bomb threat response was triggered by a hoax email sent to a state employee. The state Capitol has since been given the all clear.

In Kentucky, police asked everyone to evacuate the state Capitol after the secretary of state’s office received an email containing a bomb threat. KSP is investigating the threat, according to Gov. Andy Beshear (D), who added that everyone who was at the Capitol is safe.