A man armed with an AR-15-style rifle fired a nail gun at an FBI building in Cincinnati early Thursday morning, prompting a police chase and gunfire on an interstate, authorities said.
Two law enforcement sources told NBC News that a man entered and fired a nail gun at staff before fleeing in a car.
“At approximately 9:15 a.m. EST, the Cincinnati FBI Field Office had an armed attempt to breach the Visitor Screening Facility (VSF),” FBI Cincinnati said in a statement . “Following the activation of an alarm and a response by armed special agents from the FBI, the subject fled northbound on Interstate 71.”
FBI Field Office in Cincinnati, Ohio.Google
The Clinton County Emergency Management Agency said Interstate 71 was closed in both directions in the area of the collision as of 1 p.m. The agency issued an update around 5 p.m. saying “police operations and response have ended.”
The agency did not immediately provide additional information on whether the suspect was in custody.
“Law enforcement has exchanged gunfire with a male suspect wearing a gray shirt and body armor,” the agency said in an initial statement, warning bystanders to stay inside and lock doors. The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the suspect fired shots from a Ford Crown Victoria while being pursued by police.
The suspect had unknown injuries, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. No officers or bystanders were injured.
The Cincinnati FBI said in a statement that law enforcement was close to Wilmington “trying to resolve this critical incident.” Wilmington is about 50 miles northeast of Cincinnati.
After announcing that the law enforcement response had ended, the Clinton County Emergency Management Agency added that some operations will continue at the scene, so parts of Smith Road will remain closed . State Route 73 near the scene was expected to reopen, the agency said.
Brian Murphy, a former Department of Homeland Security and FBI official who is now an executive at the open-source intelligence firm Logically, told The Associate Press on Wednesday that his company has seen a large increase in threats against FBI personnel and facilities on social media. platforms since the FBI’s search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Largo home.
FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday denounced Trump supporters who have used violent rhetoric against law enforcement in the wake of the search.
“I’m always concerned about threats to law enforcement,” Wray said. “Violence against law enforcement is not the answer, no matter who you’re upset with.”
The suspect’s motive in Thursday’s incident is unclear.
This is breaking news. Check back for updates.
The Associated Press and Antonio Planas contributed.
