I wondered why there was a helicopter hovering over downtown as I came back to work after picking up a job outside of the building. Now I know why…
- Seattle Times: Man shot at federal courthouse in Seattle
A man who walked into the federal courthouse in downtown Seattle today carrying what appeared to be a hand grenade was shot, police said.
Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske said the man walked into the building armed with a hand grenade that appeared to be real. After a 20-minute standoff, Seattle police officers fired several rounds. The man, still clutching the grenade, collapsed.
Kerlikowske said the man appear to be dead, but was being attended to by medics.
- Seattle PI: Shooting at federal courthouse
It was not known whether the man had made any threats or said anything to the officers or courthouse personnel. Kerlikowske said the man may have been known in the neighborhood but offered no suspects.
- King5: BREAKING NEWS: Police shoot grenade carrying man in Federal Courthouse
The suspect was seen entering the courthouse shortly before noon, carrying a yellow backpack strapped to his chest, raising suspicions by police and courthouse guards.
Around 11:30 a.m. a woman cleaning windows in the lobby saw a middle-aged man enter the building. He was acting oddly, she said. “Usually you don’t wear a backpack in front of you.” He drew the attention of security officials when he tried to sneak around the security gate.
She described what happened next when they told him to stop. He responded, “don’t come near me don’t come near me, I’ll blow it up!”
Wow.