Authorities in Seattle successfully took a woman armed with a handgun into custody following an hourlong standoff at the FBI building on Wednesday. The incident unfolded when the woman entered a publicly accessible area where individuals must wait to be buzzed into the lobby, as confirmed by an FBI spokesperson.
According to the Seattle Police Department, the woman brandished the gun towards herself. Fortunately, a hostage negotiation team was able to de-escalate the situation, convincing her to place the firearm at her feet and surrender peacefully.
Thankfully, no hostages were taken, and there were no reported injuries during the standoff. The identity of the woman involved has not been disclosed at this time.
The FBI stated that investigations into the woman's motives are ongoing, and as of now, no decisions regarding potential charges have been finalized.
Recent years have seen a rise in threats directed at FBI personnel and facilities. In a separate incident, an individual armed with an AR-15 rifle and a nail gun attempted to breach the FBI's Cincinnati field office in 2022, resulting in his death after a standoff with law enforcement.
Moreover, in August, another individual rammed a barricade at an FBI office in Atlanta and subsequently tried to follow an FBI employee into a secure parking lot on foot.
