JUST IN: Pennsylvania State Capitol Evacuated Over Bomb Threat: ‘In The Name Of Palestine’

The Pennsylvania State Capitol complex was evacuated on Saturday after more than 250 people, including every member of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, received a bomb threat.

Lawmakers and other Pennsylvania government officials and staff received an email titled “my manifesto” shortly after 5:45 p.m. on Saturday. The threatening email stated that “highly lethal” explosive devices had been placed in and around the Pennsylvania State Capitol and Pennsylvania Judicial Center “in the name of Palestine.”

The sender vowed to set off devices every hour unless President Biden went on national television and cut off all aid and support for Israel.

“I plan on triggering one device every few hours until Joe Biden goes on national television and publicly denounces the illegitimate state of Israel,” the email said. “Keep in mind, I am inside one of the two buildings armed w/ a knife, and plan on remaining here to my dying breath!”

Michelle Richwine, a special assistant at the Office of Chief Clerk for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, alerted all Capitol employees to the threat in an email. “Attention House Members and Staff – Vacate the Capitol Complex immediately. Do not reenter until cleared by Capitol Police.”

A handful of staffers who had gathered outside the complex told Penn Live that there were very few people inside when the evacuation order was given around 6:15 p.m.

President Biden is scheduled to make an appearance at a local business in Harrisburg on Sunday.

One lawmaker reported that police were still conducting sweeps of the complex as of 9:45 p.m. on Saturday. Law enforcement personnel could be seen using K-9 units in order to search for potential explosive devices.

The communications director for the Pennsylvania Department of General services issued a statement to WGAL as the search was ongoing.

“On Saturday, the Pennsylvania Capitol Police evacuated the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex and Judicial Center after a bomb threat was emailed to all members of the House of Representatives and Senate. The Capitol Police immediately worked with House and Senate security, as well as the Office of the PA Courts, to issue an immediate evacuation notice to those in the buildings,” they said.

“Capitol Police did not find any explosives during a K9 search of the perimeter of the Capitol Complex. Capitol Police and the FBI are still actively conducting a comprehensive search and investigation in coordination with the Pennsylvania State Police, House and Senate security, and the Dauphin County Sheriff’s office to ensure the safety of the area.”