Police locked down the Denver City and County Building for nearly two hours Wednesday morning following a phone threat against the mayor’s office that ultimately was determined to be unfounded.
By Wednesday afternoon, Denver police announced they’d identified the male caller who made the threats against Mayor Michael Hancock’s office.
“The individual is believed to be in crisis and at this time we are working to obtain services on his behalf,” Denver police said in a tweet. “Due to his condition, we will not provide this person’s identity.”
Police said in a tweet that there is no ongoing threat linked to this person.
A threat or multiple threats were called into the Denver City and County Building at 1437 Bannock St. at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. Security staff and police immediately locked the building down before more city employees and residents entered the building to reduce the potential threat, Hancock said.
UPDATE: The City & County Building is all clear. The lockdown is being lifted and officers are clearing the scene. Thanks to everyone for your understanding and patience while we investigated this matter.
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice)
In an email, the City and County of Denver had asked people to “please avoid” the area because of a “credible threat.” People inside the building were told to “return to your office and lock down until released by public safety.”
City employees received that email at 8:14 a.m.
The Fraternal Order of Police chapter affiliated with the Denver Sheriff Department had tweeted that the city and county building was on lockdown because of a credible threat to shoot Hancock.
When reporters asked Hancock whether his life was threatened, he said he wasn’t sure whether the threat was directed at him or at the mayor’s office in general.
Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said the police took an abundance of caution to make sure everything was OK.
Breaking news the city and county bldg on bannock is currently on lock down due to a credible threat to shoot the mayor.
— Denver Sheriffs FOP (@DenverFOP27)
ALERT: was alerted to a threat to ’s City & County Building and is currently investigating the matter. Watch for updates and any additional information here.
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice)
