27.4 C
Accra
Saturday, February 8, 2025
WorldOhio FBI office : Armed man shot dead

Date:

Ohio FBI office : Armed man shot dead

An armed man wearing body armor was slain after attempting to “breach” an FBI headquarters in Ohio authorities report.

The suspect fled the scene in Cincinnati and was shot by police after an hours-long standoff in a rural area.

Authorities said they are investigating if the guy, identified by media as 42-year-old Ricky Shiffer, had any connections to far-right organizations.

The head of the FBI said violence and threats against the agency “should be deeply concerning to all Americans”.

Police have not formally identified the suspect killed in Ohio on Thursday, and did not comment on his motive during news briefings.

Unnamed law enforcement officials told US media the suspect may have been present at the Capitol building in Washington on the day of last year’s riot by Trump supporters, although he was not charged with any crimes in connection to the disorder.

The Ohio incident comes as US officials warn of increased threats against law enforcement after the FBI executed a search warrant on Monday at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

Police said the suspect tried unsuccessfully to breach a visitor security screening area at the FBI office in Cincinnati at around 09:15 (13:15 GMT).

He fled the area, but was spotted about 20 minutes later by a police officer, Ohio State Highway Patrol spokesman Nathan Dennis told a news conference.

FBI's Cincinnati officeIMAGE SOURCE, REUTERS

A chase ensued until the suspect stopped and exchanged gunfire with officers before fleeing into a cornfield.

After an hours-long standoff, he raised a weapon toward officers and was killed by police around 15:00 local time, said, Mr. Dennis. No police were injured in the shootout.

According to NBC News, the man fired a nail gun at the FBI building and was also armed with a semi-automatic rifle.

There are two social media accounts in the reported name of the suspect, according to the BBC’s disinformation reporter Shayan Sardarizadeh.

Most of the tweets were about the 2020 election, saying it had been stolen from Mr. Trump. The posts also included calls for violence against Democrats, the FBI, and the Supreme Court.

At least two posts on the Twitter account – including one saying “I was there” – suggest the person attended the Capitol riot.

On Truth Social, the website owned by Mr. Trump, an account in the name of one Ricky Shiffer posted earlier on Thursday, calling for Americans to “be ready to combat”, adding: “I am proposing war.”

One post appeared to have been made after the incident at the FBI office in Cincinnati.

FBI Director Christopher Wray, who was appointed by Mr. Trump in 2017, said in a statement that “unfounded attacks on the integrity of the FBI erode respect for the rule of law and are a grave disservice to the men and women who sacrifice so much to protect others.

“Violence and threats against law enforcement, including the FBI, are dangerous and should be deeply concerning to all Americans.”

In a speech to FBI field agents in the state of Nebraska on Wednesday, he called online threats to officials “deplorable and dangerous”, adding: “Violence against law enforcement is not the answer, no matter who you’re upset with.”

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

Brigadier General Tanye-Kulono appointed as Acting GHPA boss

President John Dramani Mahama has named Brigadier General Paul...

42 ministers sworn-in by Mahama so far

President John Dramani Mahama has officially sworn in a...

Ghana’s Hajj quota increased by 1,000 pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has increased Ghana's Hajj pilgrimage quota from...

Miss Côte d’Ivoire 2025 ditches artificial hair enhancements

An African beauty pageant is breaking tradition to make...

Mahama swears in Ablakwa, Sam George, 15 others

President John Dramani is swearing in another set of...

I’m fair and neutral – Vetting Chaos Committee Chair to critics

Emmanuel Bedzrah, the head of the committee probing the...

Related stories

“I still consider it my biggest failure” – Bill Gates on life after divorce

Bill Gates is speaking candidly about his divorce from Melinda French...

Kanye West reclaims title as wealthiest rapper, surpassing JAY-Z

Kanye West has reportedly reclaimed the title of the...

Meta offers TikTokers $5,000 to join Facebook, Instagram

Social media giant Meta has offered to pay up...

About 1,600 Capitol riot defendants pardoned by Trump

President Donald Trump has issued pardons or commuted sentences...

LIVESTREAMING: Swearing-in ceremony for Donald Trump

Today marks the beginning of Donald Trump's second term...

Inauguration Day schedule for Trump’s swearing-in ceremony today

Donald Trump will take the oath of office today...

WhatsApp to stop working on these devices in 2025

WhatsApp will soon cease supporting 18 Android models and...