Lockdown at the Maryland State House

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Maryland State House was locked down for an undisclosed security threat late Thursday afternoon.

Reporters with officers on the ground floor of the building were told to lock their doors shortly after 5 p.m. by an aide to Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones. About 30 minutes later, police escorted reporters out of the building.

An Associated Press reporter saw an officer hurrying up a staircase with his gun drawn. State employees were also evacuating the building.

Annapolis Police Department spokesperson Bernie Bennett said someone made an anonymous threat to the State House via phone sometime Thursday. He said the agency was called to assist the Maryland Capitol Police in responding to the potential threat.

As of around 6 p.m. Thursday, authorities hadn’t found any signs of suspicious activity. 

“The top floor of the building is cleared and once the bottom floor and the grounds have been cleared, an all clear will be given and people can move about as they please,” the Annapolis Police spokesperson said. 

Bennett said they also hadn’t received any reports of violence at the State House and that no one has taken credit for the threat.

“You have to react to every threat as though it’s credible and serious,” he said.

People inside the building were asked to shelter in place while law enforcement agents searched the building and grounds, including with police dogs.

This is a developing story and WUSA9 will continue to update as more information becomes available to our newsroom. Stay with us. 

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