Federal authorities are searching for a man they say intentionally rammed a car into the gates of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office early Wednesday morning in what officials are calling a targeted act of terror.
The suspect, identified as Donald Henson of Penn Hills, reportedly drove his vehicle into the main entrance of the federal building around 2:40 a.m. before draping an American flag on the gate and fleeing the scene on foot. FBI officials described him as “dangerous,” citing a history of mental health problems and a recent bizarre interaction with the agency.
“We look at this as an act of terror against the FBI,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Christopher Giordano. “This was a targeted attack on this building. Thankfully, no one was hurt.”
Authorities say Henson is believed to be a former member of the U.S. military, although they have no indication that he is currently armed. Still, officials are urging the public not to approach him and instead contact law enforcement immediately.
“We just have no reason to believe right now that he had a weapon,” Giordano said. “But he does have a history of mental health issues and should be considered dangerous.”
Officials also revealed that Henson had recently visited the Pittsburgh field office, making an incoherent complaint that was determined to have no federal basis.
“In scouring our indexes, we did find that he visited the field office a couple of weeks ago to make a complaint that didn’t make a whole lot of sense,” Giordano said. “We ran down everything that he came down with. It didn’t have a federal nexus.”
Eyewitnesses described the incident as both strange and alarming.
“He got out and went around the passenger side and pulled something out of the passenger side. I thought it was a gun, but it happened to be a flag, and he just set it on that fence and started yelling out some words and just took off,” local resident Nakeisha Brown told reporters.
The FBI is now asking anyone with information on Henson’s whereabouts to come forward. He was last seen fleeing the scene on foot and is believed to still be in the area.
The field office remains secure, and investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and other evidence to determine whether Henson acted alone or had help in planning the incident.
The post Suspect Flees After Ramming Car Into FBI’s Pittsburgh Office appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
