Police swarmed Scripps’ WMAR-TV Baltimore (ABC) 5/13 after a man rammed his truck multiple times into the station’s building. No injuries were reported, and the man was barricaded inside. Police were unsure if he is armed, reports WJZ-TV. Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson later told The Baltimore Sun said the man was apprehended in a second-floor room. Police were able to view the suspect watching live newscasts of the event from in the room. He had a golf club in hand at the time of his arrest, Johnson said.
The crash occurred at 11:45 a.m., Baltimore County police say. Police had no accounts of shots fired.
Police say that they initially received a disturbance call for a man banging on the door and trying to get into the building. Within minutes, they received a second call that a truck had crashed into the lobby.
Baltimore County Police spokesperson Elise Armacost says that 55 people evacuated the building and it is possible that some employees are still sheltered in place. She says police cannot speculate on a motive, and the investigation is still active.
A SWAT surrounded the building and the perimeter was expanded. Robots were being used in the investigation. Reporters at WMAR say the lobby is “smashed up.” Some employees are at a nearby shopping center.
The first call came in at around 11:45 a.m. as a disturbance. The suspect was banging on door trying to get in. Employees say the man referred to himself as “God.” Within minutes, police received a second call for a truck in lobby.
People are being urged to stay away from the building, which has been evacuated. St. Pius X school is nearby and was on lockdown. Officials say all children were safe.
