Downtown Jefferson City
Jefferson City and State Highway Patrol SWAT teams have found nothing in their floor-by-floor search of an office building about a block and a half from the State Capitol and south of the Governor’s Mansion and have given an all clear signal.
Apparently, there was nothing to a call reporting a possible hostage situation at the Governor’s Office Building in downtown Jefferson City.
Law enforcement swarmed downtown Jefferson City shortly after 10am. An evacuation of the building began shortly thereafter.
Police responded to a call at 10:02am from the alarm company Sonitrol which reported a possible hostage situation with shots fired. Police quickly told members of the news media that they could not confirm either; whether a hostage has been taken or that shots were fired.
Sheriff Greg White
Police blocked off much of the area, not allowing anyone access near the office building. Dozens of police cars as well as some ambulances gathered near the scene.
The Governor’s Office Building is located in the renovated Governor’s Hotel. It is a private office building, though a few state agencies rent space in the building, most prominently the Public Service Commission. It occupies the corner just south of the Governor’s Mansion, about a block and a half east of the Capitol.
Gov. Nixon’s office released a statement that the governor monitored the situation and received updated briefings from State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. James Keathley. Nixon was out of the state on a business meeting in Texas at the time the initial call came into police. He returned to Jefferson City.
Download/listen Steve Walsh reports from downtown Jefferson City (:60 MP3)
