From the Associated Press . . .
An armed man decked out in body armor tried to breach a security screening area at an FBI field office in Ohio on Thursday, then fled and exchanged gunfire in a standoff with law enforcement, authorities said.
The confrontation at the FBI’s Cincinnati field office comes as officials warn of an increase in threats against federal agents in the days following a search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Federal officials said the man had “attempted to breach” the visitor’s screening area at the FBI office and fled when he was confronted by agents. He was chased onto Interstate 71 and has exchanged gunfire with police, according to the Clinton County Emergency Management Agency.
UPDATE: Reports: Suspect armed with a weapon was at the FBI building making threats, then fled the scene, witnesses reporting the person was seen firing at authorities from a corn field.https://t.co/VLPb7KFv1Y
— NBC 15 News (@mynbc15) August 11, 2022
Authorities have closed the interstate in both directions as police remained in a standoff. No injuries were immediately reported.
The #FBI, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and local law enforcement partners are on scene near Wilmington, OH trying to resolve this critical incident.
https://t.co/SWDZTkrnhL— FBI Cincinnati (@FBICincinnati) August 11, 2022
Officials in Ohio have locked down a mile radius near the interstate and urged residents and business owners to lock doors and stay inside.
Homeland security federal protective service police have arrived at the FBI ctr in Kenwood after a person with a weapon was here creating what agents described as a potential threat. @WLWT pic.twitter.com/7SFNmWZybw
— Brian Hamrick (@bhamrick_wlwt) August 11, 2022
An FBI evidence team has arrived at the office to investigate, according to multiple media reports.
Martial law in 3,2,1… https://t.co/YQe7TjN5hL
— Iraqveteran8888 (@Iraqveteran8888) August 11, 2022