State Police investigating threat to state Capitol in downtown Lansing

LANSING — The Michigan State Police closed the state Capitol Wednesday as it investigated a threat.

The threat, which came in an email around 7:45 a.m. to the "general account for the Michigan State Capitol Commission," prompted State Police to close and search the building, which officials said would remain closed to the public for the rest of the day.

The Associated Press reported that threats were also made in at least five other states, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and Montana, but that no evidence of dangerous items was immediately found.

Police in several states used bomb-sniffing dogs to help search buildings and grounds, including in Michigan.

The threat to Michigan's Capitol was not initially considered credible, but the building was closed as a precaution while it was searched and police investigated, Lt. Rene Gonzalez said in an email.

By noon on Wednesday, the Capitol building was deemed "all clear," according to an email to House members and staff.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that State Police there are investigating "a threat received by the Secretary of State’s Office."

The threats to capitols came after a spate of false reports of shootings at the homes of public officials in recent days, according to the AP.

Contact reporter Matt Mencarini at 517-377-1026 or mjmencarini@lsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: State Police investigating threat to state Capitol in downtown Lansing