KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A bomb-sniffing dog has detected the presence of some sort of explosives inside the vehicle of a man who walked into the Kansas City federal building and told authorities he was a terrorist.
This news comes just hours after UT-Austin, North Dakota State University, and Valparaiso University were evacuated due to bomb threats.
At home in Austin this AM, UT evacuated b/c of bomb threat. Now in Kansas City and most of downtown is evacuated b/c of terrorist threat.
— Allison Watkins (@allisoncwatkins) September 14, 2012
Self Proclaimed Terrorist in Kansas City Federal Building. Bomb squad in route. http://t.co/hBkLueX6 Starting to feel non coincidental
— Kevin Dalton (@NextLAMayor) September 14, 2012
What's with all the terror threats today? Univ. of Texas, North Dakota State, and now a bomb threat in Kansas City
— ζ ack Jacomowitz? (@Zak_NYCMetroWx) September 14, 2012
https://twitter.com/jackmaney/status/246691258137968641
Bomb threats at UT, NDSU and now explosives found in a car downtown Kansas City. What the hell is wrong with people.. smh
— DaynaOG (@DaynaOG) September 14, 2012
Twitchy will monitor this story and update accordingly.
***
Area roads have been closed and nearby buildings evacuated:
https://twitter.com/jeffemanuel/status/246681041740386304
Authorities have closed the exit from Interstate 70 to 13th Street and have blocked off 12th and 13th streets between Cherry and Charlotte. Northbound Locust Street is closed from Truman Road to 12th Street. All access to Locust Street in that area is shut down.
Recommended
The Richard Bolling Federal Building and the Fletcher Daniels State Office Building have both been evacuated.
Live coverage:
Live chopper feed shows bomb squad robot: Kansas City PD investigates suspicious device near federal building http://t.co/UReJza5e
— Jared Hunt (@jaredwv) September 14, 2012
WATCH LIVE: Explosives detected after man claims to be terrorist with bomb http://t.co/3HUX1xgB
— Las Vegas News Now (@vegasnewsnow) September 14, 2012
***
Update:
The suspect is apparently on the federal terrorist watch list:
Sources told the Star the man created a disturbance inside the Fletcher Daniels building at 615 E. 13th Street by yelling something to the effect of: “Why am I on the terrorist watch list?”
Authorities detained the man and sent a bomb-sniffing dog to check the man’s car in circle drive in front of the building. The dog gave its handler a positive indication on the car’s trunk, so police are handling the incident as a credible threat. Police also found a gun in the car.
Police confirmed the man is on the watch list.
***
Update:
A flight restriction has been placed around the federal building:
BREAKING: A flight restriction was just issued over #KansasCity, clearing the air for 3 miles, 3000 feet around the Federal Building.
— Eye on Politics (@EyeOnPolitics) September 14, 2012
https://twitter.com/juleslapierre/status/246693783356465152
***
Update:
The vehicle in which explosives were detected is registered to Wahed Moharam, a Kansas City Chiefs fan familiar to many as “Helmet Man.” He is currently in police custody:
The [Kansas City] Star reported that his tickets were revoked because of safety concerns in 2003. He was once in the federal witness protection program for testifying in the first World Trade Center bombing.
Everything is OK,” a man identifying himself as Waheed told the newspaper. “I don’t have to tell you exactly where I am. The FBI requests me to hang up the phone, but I can assure you I’m OK and they treat me good.”
He added: “And everything mistake. Everything mistake. I didn’t have any bad thing anyway. Everything is just…thank you and God bless you and I’m OK.”
***
Update:
Police: No explosives found in vehicle near federal building, roads back open – http://t.co/j2TgCWYO
— 41 Action News (@41actionnews) September 14, 2012
Just before 5 p.m., authorities confirmed that no explosives were found in the vehicle. A temporary flight restriction issued for downtown Kansas City was lifted shortly after. Police reopened the streets, which were closed for most of the day, just after 5 p.m.
***
Kansas City residents are reacting to the news:
Bomb threat downtown Kansas City. 12-13th St, Cherry to Holmes Rd CLOSED. Hitting close to home, people. #prepare
— kbohlender (@kbohlender) September 14, 2012
Bomb threat in downtown Kansas City now. People need to get a grip today.
— Amy Hendricks (@kcrylsfn) September 14, 2012
https://twitter.com/sarah_bonnot/status/246681887924449280
https://twitter.com/skyturnsgreen/status/246682817600299008
https://twitter.com/iamAntJr/status/246682728488116224
https://twitter.com/cerealtor/status/246686354786881536
https://twitter.com/opalnicole/status/246685777726144513
A bomb threat in my town?! Downtown has been evacuated?! Watching events on TV. Stay safe Kansas City. #Nobodystepsonachurchinmytown
— Nicole Fowler (@IAmNicoleJoann) September 14, 2012
And, right on cue:
#RWNJ plot? RT @DeAnnSmithkc Explosives confirmed in alleged terrorist's vehicle in Kansas City. http://t.co/MgGy99Yw via @thegarance
— deBeauxOs (@deBeauxOs1) September 14, 2012
Join the conversation as a VIP Member