Pa capital bombing threat; what we know about Capitol evacuation

The Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg was evacuated Saturday following an emailed bomb threat.

Here’s what we know about the incident.

Harrisburg bomb threat

The threat came in an email sent to several hundred people in the capitol Saturday evening, according to multiple published reports.

The email warned of “highly lethal lead azide devices” around the building that would be set off unless President Joe Biden denounces Israel.

Everyone in the building was promptly evacuated and police brought in bomb squads and K-9 units to search the capitol building.

No explosive devices were found and no other threats were uncovered.

The email, titled “My Manifesto” was received around 5:45 p.m. Saturday and was sent “in the name of Palestine.”

Where is Pennsylvania’s capital?

Pennsylvania’s capital, Harrisburg, is located in the south-central region of the state along the Susquehanna River.

It’s a historic city known for its key role in the Civil War and its vibrant cultural scene.

What is lead azide?

Lead azide is a powerful explosive used to trigger other explosives.

It's very sensitive and can go off from a simple bump, friction, or heat. Because of this, it's mainly used in small amounts in things like detonators to set off bigger explosions.

Lead azide has been used in bombings and terror attacks.

After the Sept. 11 attacks, investigators said planned secondary attacks were to include bombings that would have used lead azide.

Lead azide was used in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. The truck bomb was detonated with lead azide, destroying the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people.

Planned and executed terror attacks around the world have included lead azide in detonators as well.

What is a manifesto?

A manifesto is a statement explaining ideas, goals, or plans and is often used to justify actions while sharing beliefs and intentions with a wider audience.

The Unabomber notably demanded his manifesto be published. That led to the arrest of Ted Kaczynski, who had carried out bombings over 17 years.

The Christchurch Mosque shootings in 2019 included a manifesto posted online ahead of the terrorist attack on two mosques in New Zealand that killed 51 people.