Politics Watch — November 10, 2009
Possible hostage situation in Jefferson City
Jefferson City Police captain Mike Smith answers questions from the media Tuesday about the possibility of a hostage situation inside the Governor Office Building in downtown Jefferson City, Mo. Initial reports say the situation started with an alarm leading to the evacuation of the office building.
A possible hostage situation is unfolding at the state capitol where, according to a report form the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cole County Sheriff deputies and State Highway Patrol officers have surrounded a government office building located at 200 Madison St.
The report quotes one employee, Lewis Mills, who said that around 10:15 a.m. a message came over the intercom telling everyone to stay in their offices. Mills said the situation is located on the fifth floor of the office building, which houses the Public Service Commission.
See the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for the whole story.
Stay with The Maneater for continued coverage of this breaking news.
Sheila King, 38, and Shannon Heaviland, 41, are lead past police tape after being evacuated from Madison's Cafe on Tuesday after reports of possible hostage situation inside the Governor Office Building in downtown Jefferson City, Mo. King and Heaviland were two of many others who were evacuated from nearby businesses as a precaution during the situation.
People evacuate from the Governor Office Building located at 200 Madison St. in Jefferson City, Mo. on Tuesday. Workers were evacuated after a call was made to local authorities claiming there was a hostage situation in the area. However, no hostage situation was confirmed and no shots were fired.
Jefferson City police investigating possible hostage situation
A helicopter flies over Central Bank at the corner of High and Madison streets Tuesday. Jefferson City Police, SWAT, and State Troopers were at the site to investigate a potential hostage situation at the Governor Office Building down the street.
Capt. Bob Cynova of the Jefferson City Police Department said they received a call around 10:02 a.m. that there was a hostage situation in the Governor's Office Building at 200 Madison St. in Jefferson City.
Cynova said it is just an alarm at this time but the department is treating the situation as if it's real.
"Basically we have a hard perimeter and multiple search teams inside," Cynova said.
A hard perimeter is where no one can leave the building, Cynova said, meaning if there is a situation, it would not leave the building.
Gov. Jay Nixon was in Texas early this morning for a business meeting when he heard about the alarm, according to a news release from his office, but he is now in his office at the capital. The release stated he has been in contact with law enforcement and his senior staff throughout the day.
A Missouri State Trooper hides in the brush Tuesday on Madison Street during a potential hostage situation in the Governor Office Building. State Troopers and Jefferson City police reported to the scene after a 911 call from the building reported a hostage situation.
