Latest news with #crediblethreat
The Guardian
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Texas capitol evacuated after officials warn lawmakers of ‘credible threats'
The Texas department of public safety has warned state lawmakers and legislative staffers of 'credible threats' to their safety, hours after two Minnesota politicians were targeted early Saturday. An alert was issued just before 1pm local time, alerting legislators planning to attend a 'No Kings' anti-Trump rally at the capitol in Austin. The area was evacuated soon after, according to the Texas Tribune, which first obtained a copy of the warning. The alert said the state capitol had been evacuated 'out of an abundance of caution' after the DPS received a 'credible threat' against state lawmakers. Both the capitol building and surrounding grounds were closed temporarily, and officials did not immediately indicate when they would be reopened. 'DPS continues working with our law enforcement partners to address the threat,' the statement said. 'DPS has a duty to protect the people and property of Texas and is continuously monitoring events occurring today and their impact on public safety across the state,' the DPS statement said. 'A credible threat was made to possibly kill members of the Texas legislature at the capitol,' the state's lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick, posted on social media. 'I urge everyone to take appropriate precautions and heed the warning of the Texas department of public safety until that threat is no longer active.' Patrick noted the killings of the Minnesota Democratic state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, saying that what happened 'in Minnesota is a tragedy and our prayers go out to the families, friends, and those impacted'. Saturday's protest in Austin, which organizers have said will be nonviolent, is sponsored by the chair of the Texas house Democratic caucus, Gene Wu. The Democratic state representative John Bucy III, the Democratic state senator Sarah Eckhardt and the Democratic representative Greg Casar were expected to attend. Republican representative Charlie Geren later told colleagues in an email that the Minnesota suspect – identified by police as Vance Boelter, 57 – had a list of potential targets. 'It seems to be an isolated incident. However, we're always concerned about copycats and those who the attack might inspire,' Geren wrote. 'Your safety is our top priority, and we are taking all necessary precautions to address any potential threats.'
New York Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
An arrest was made after a 'credible threat' to Texas lawmakers, an official said.
A person was taken into custody on Saturday afternoon in connection with what the Texas Department of Public Safety said was a 'credible threat' to the safety of state lawmakers attending an anti-Trump protest in Austin, according to a law enforcement official. The threat had prompted the temporary closure of the Texas State Capitol grounds, and the law enforcement official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe an ongoing investigation, said the person taken into custody was found in the town of La Grange, Texas, between Austin and Houston. The threat came after shootings that killed a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband and wounded another Minnesota lawmaker and his wife early on Saturday. The Texas Department of Public Safety sent a warning to Texas lawmakers early Saturday afternoon and said it was concerned about people who could be inspired by the Minnesota killings. The message to lawmakers, sent around 1 p.m. Central time, said the Minnesota attack 'seems to be an isolated incident.' 'However, we're always concerned about copycats and those who this attack might inspire,' it read. 'I received it and I was like whoa, it could easily have been one of us, easily,' said State Representative Ron Reynolds, a Houston-area Democrat who was in Houston on Saturday and spoke at a protest that attracted roughly 15,000 people. 'You have to take it seriously,' Mr. Reynolds said, adding that what happened in Minnesota was 'awful.' 'It's a threat to democracy. But it's real. We can't let them silence us, but we have to be vigilant,' he said. Around 4:45 p.m., lawmakers received another update from the state police saying they had 'addressed the earlier reported threat' and that the Capitol grounds had been reopened.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas state capitol evacuated after ‘credible threat' toward lawmakers
The Texas state capitol was evacuated on Saturday after the state's Department of Public Safety warned of a 'credible threat' against legislators, ahead of a planned anti-Trump protest Saturday evening in Austin. The Texas Department of Public Safety evacuated the Capitol and Capitol grounds Saturday afternoon 'out of an abundance of caution,' a statement from the agency read. The statement did not provide any further details on the nature of the threat. The Texas legislature is not in session. But several Texas lawmakers — and members of Congress — were scheduled to speak at the protest in downtown Austin, which is part of the nationwide 'No Kings' protest movement. The evacuation comes hours after two Democratic Minnesota lawmakers were shot in their homes. One of the politicians, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, and her husband were killed in the shooting.
CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Texas lawmakers warned of "credible threat" ahead of "No Kings" protest in Austin
The Texas Department of Public Safety warned state legislators of a "credible threat" against them during Saturday's "No Kings" protest at the state capitol building in downtown Austin. The Texas State Capitol and grounds were evacuated at 1 p.m. local time Saturday due to the threat and remain temporarily closed. Texas DPS said that the evacuation was out of an abundance of caution. No further details were provided. "Just today, a credible threat was made to possibly kill members of the Texas Legislature at the Capitol," Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a post on X. "Death threats are sadly a part of serving in public life today." Patrick called on the public to remain cautious and to "heed the warning of the Texas DPS until the threat is no longer active." The protest at the Texas Capitol was scheduled for 5 p.m., according to the "No Kings" website. It was not immediately clear if the event would continue. While such threats are not often discussed, Patrick said the state handles many each month. He noted that most come from individuals who "go too far in their emails or calls," and that they frequently retract their statements when confronted, insisting they didn't intend harm. Still, he stressed that "all have to be taken seriously." Patrick highlighted the need to differentiate between acceptable discourse and unlawful threats. "There's a difference between free speech complaints, which we welcome, and making death threats," Patrick said in his statement. "The latter can be a crime." Minnesota lawmakers targeted The bulletin to legislators also mentioned the targeted attacks against two lawmakers in Minnesota. State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed, and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in politically-motivated shootings overnight, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Saturday morning. A manhunt is underway for the suspect, who remains at large. "Currently, it seems to be an isolated incident. However, we're always concerned about copycats and those who this attack might inspire. Your safety is our top priority, and we are taking all necessary precautions to address any potential threats," the bulletin said. "What happened today in Minnesota was an absolute criminal act and a tragic loss of life," Patrick said in his statement. "Our prayers go out to those in Minnesota."
CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Texas DPS warns state lawmakers of "credible threat" at "No Kings" protest in Austin
The Texas Department of Public Safety warned state legislators of a "credible threat" against them during Saturday's "No Kings" protest at the state Capitol building. According a bulletin sent to lawmakers early Saturday afternoon, obtained by Eye On Politics reporter Jack Fink, authorities "are working with our law enforcement partners and are leveraging all available resources to address this threat." CBS Austin reported that the Capitol and grounds were evacuated at 1 p.m. Saturday due to the threats. The protest at the Texas Capitol is scheduled for 5 p.m., according to the "No Kings" website. It was not immediately clear if the event would continue as planned. The bulletin also mentioned the targeted attacks against two lawmakers in Minnesota. State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed, and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in politically motivated shootings overnight, Gov. Tim Walz said Saturday morning. "Currently, it seems to be an isolated incident. However, we're always concerned about copycats and those who this attack might inspire. Your safety is our top priority, and we are taking all necessary precautions to address any potential threats," the bulletin said.
