An armed man in body armor attempted to break into the security screening area of the FBI Field Office in Ohio on Thursday However, he fled and was replaced, according to authorities, who opened fire in a standoff with law enforcement.
A standoff at the FBI's Cincinnatifield office follows Donald Trump's search of his Mar-a-Lago mansion, officials say federal agents It occurred when he warned of an increase in threats against Florida.
Federal officials said the man had "attempted to break into" the area during a visitor screening at his FBI office, but fled when confronted by investigators. He was chased onto Interstate 71 and got into a shootout with police, according to the Clinton County Emergency Management Agency.
Authorities blocked both directions of the interstate, leading to a police stalemate. No injuries were reported immediately.
Ohio officials cordoned off a one-mile radius near an interstate, urging residents and business owners to lock their doors and stay indoors.
According to multiple reports, an FBI evidence team arrived at the office to investigate.
Threats to FBI agents and offices nationwide have increased in recent days since a federal agent executed a search warrant in his Mar-a-Lago. Gab, a social media site popular with white supremacists and anti-Semites, warns users are preparing for an armed revolution.
Federal authorities are also tracking a series of related chatter on other platforms threatening violence against Gab and federal agents. FBI Director Christopher Wray visited another of his FBI offices in Nebraska on Wednesday to denounce the threats.
"Violence against law enforcement is not the answer, no matter who you're angry with," Ray said Wednesday in Omaha.
On Wednesday, the FBI warned investigators to avoid protesters, ensure security key cards were "not visible outside FBI space," and warned agency personnel and facilities. He cited the growing threat of social media. It also warned agents to be aware of their surroundings and potential protesters.
The alert did not specifically mention this week's Mar-a-Lago raid, but attributed the online threat to "recent media coverage of the FBI's investigative efforts."
