SACRAMENTO — Authorities declared the California State Capitol and its Annex construction site safe Friday after a threat forced workers and legislative staff to evacuate. CHP spokesperson Kelly DeLeon said searches were completed around 5 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Times.
Handwritten threat prompted the evacuation
The incident began when construction workers discovered a handwritten threat on a wall at the Annex site and alerted authorities. Employees were evacuated from the historic West Wing while officers investigated, CBS Sacramento reported.
CHP K-9 teams searched both locations. No injuries were reported.
Chief Doug Lyons told CBS Sacramento that investigators were collecting evidence and reviewing security footage to determine who wrote the threat.
What visitors need to know
The evacuation did not extend to employees in the Legislative Office Building or the nearby temporary offices housing state officials, according to the Times’ reporting on a Senate staff notification.
CHP continues investigating. The Capitol, normally closed to the public on weekends, is scheduled to reopen Monday, October 5, at 9 a.m.
Sources and further reading
CBS Sacramento: Capitol cleared, threat investigation and no reported injuries ↗
Los Angeles Times via AOL: CHP spokesperson and reopening schedule ↗
Wikimedia Commons: June 22, 2021 Capitol photograph by Mackinacbridge ↗