A bomb threat was reportedly made at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee early Thursday morning. Though no explosives or suspicious devices have been found, the FBI has started an investigation.
The threat was received by Capitol police around 3am Thursday and was followed by an immediate sweep of the entire complex which includes the state Capitol, Senate and House offices, and the historic Capitol, reports the Miami Herald.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials said that “no explosive devices were found and nothing suspicious identified, ” after conducting the sweep with explosive-sniffing police dogs. (RELATED: Man Sets Vehicle On Fire Outside FBI Seattle Office, Tells Them There’s A Bomb Inside)
Though no devices were found, state employees were asked to avoid the Capitol by FDLE officials until 9am Thursday “out of an abundance of caution.” The complex is secure but will remain closed to the public due to COVID-19, reports the Miami Herald.
FL Capitol open to employees who work there. Capitol Complex has been swept by law enforcement & explosive detecting K-9’s. No explosive devices were found & nothing suspicious identified. “If You See Something, Say Something®”Report suspicious activity by calling 1-800-FLA-SAFE
— FDLE (@fdlepio) January 21, 2021
The threat comes after Florida law enforcement officials have been on high alert for potential violence at the Capitol following a warning from the FBI about protests taking place around the Inauguration of now President Joe Biden. The FBI warned that protestors could take violent seen at the Capitol riots to their local statehouses.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a executive order last week that activated the Florida National Guard to assist Florida law enforcement to “protect the state, its citizens, and public buildings and property from any potential civil unrest.” The executive order will remain in effect until Sunday, according to the Miami Herald.
The Tallahassee Police Department as well as the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force are handling the investigation together.