Maryland State House lockdown prompted by anonymous threat is lifted after nothing suspicious found

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland State House was locked down for about two hours Thursday after an anonymous phone threat was made, but officials said no signs of suspicious activity were found and later allowed people back inside.

Annapolis Police Department spokesperson Bernie Bennett said someone made an anonymous threat to the State House via phone. He said the agency was called to assist the Maryland Capitol police in responding to the potential threat.

Authorities didn’t find anything suspicious in the building. Bennett said they also didn’t receive any reports of violence at the State House and that no one had taken credit for the threat.

“You have to react to every threat as though it’s credible and serious,” he said.

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By 7 p.m., an Anne Arundel County police officer said the building was “all clear,” and people were allowed to go back inside.

Nick Cavey, a spokesperson with the Maryland Department of General Services, said Capitol police coordinated sweeps of the State House, Senate and House office buildings and surrounding grounds, according to protocol, and determined that the areas were secure and clear of any potential threat.

“The lockdown and shelter in place was lifted at 6:52 p.m. and all remaining occupants, including the governor, lieutenant governor, and Senate president, were escorted from the building, per