‘Targeted attack’: Driver crashes into FBI Pittsburgh gate, leaves American flag behind
Donald Henson, a former military member allegedly with mental health issues, reportedly crashed his vehicle into the FBI Pittsburgh gate, leaving an American flag behind. Authorities are conducting a manhunt, considering the incident a ‘targeted attack’ against the FBI.
A man driving a car crashed into the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Pittsburgh gate and left an American flag behind after taking it from the back seat, authorities said. The incident took place around 2:40 am, PTI reported. The FBI has called the incident a “targeted attack”.
“This incident is considered a targeted attack against the FBI. No FBI personnel were injured,” the agency said in a statement. Investigating officials and the bomb squad team were at the spot after the incident.
Christopher Giordano, assistant special agent in charge at the FBI in Pittsburgh, informed media persons that the car looked to have some kind of message on one of its side windows.
Giordano said the FBI knew the man. “He did come here to the FBI field office a few weeks ago to make a complaint that didn't make a whole lot of sense,” he said. He added, “We contacted him and let him know that there was no federal crime we were able to charge.”
“We look at this as an act of terror against the FBI. We are going to exhaust every ability we have under the federal law to find, apprehend and prosecute this subject to the fullest extent,” ABC News quoted Giordano as saying.
Donald Henson from Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, is accused of speeding toward the main entrance gate, The Guardian reported.
Who is Donald Henson?
According to Giordano, Henson, a former military member with known mental health concerns, is the registered owner of the vehicle. Authorities confirmed his identity by matching his driver's license photo. The suspect escaped the scene and was considered potentially dangerous, although it was unclear at the time if he was armed, according to ABC News, citing the FBI.
According to visuals from the scene, the car’s doors and trunk were all open, and the metal fence was noticeably bent following the collision. “So if any family members see this and they have any information that could help us safely take this individual into custody, that would be greatly appreciated,” Giordano stated, as per a report by NBC. The manhunt is in progress, news reports said.