Gunman Who Tried To Breach Ohio FBI Office Dead After Standoff With Police

The episode came a day after the FBI director warned against threats circulating online against agents and the Justice Department in the wake of the agency’s search of President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home.

AP/Charlie Neibergall
The FBI director, Christopher Wray, on August 10, 2022, at Omaha, Nebraska. AP/Charlie Neibergall

An armed man who tried to breach security at an FBI field office today in Ohio is dead after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement and fleeing the scene, authorities said.

The Cincinnati confrontation saw the gunman, reportedly wearing body armor, chased onto Interstate 71, where he remained in a standoff with police for several hours.

Tensions between President Trump’s supporters and the FBI have been bubbling in the wake of Monday’s search of President Trump’s home at Mar-a-Lago by FBI agents, though no direct connection has been officially made with today’s attack in Ohio.

Today, Attorney General Garland warned of “unfounded attacks on the professionalism of the FBI and Justice Department agents and prosecutors” in the wake of the search of President Trump’s home.

“I will not stand by silently when their integrity is unfairly attacked. The men and women of the FBI and the Justice Department are dedicated patriotic public servants every day. They protect the American people from violent crime, terrorism, and other threats to their safety while safeguarding our civil rights. They do so at great personal sacrifice and risk to themselves. I am honored to work alongside them,” Mr. Garland said.

He added that more information would be made available “in the appropriate way and at the appropriate time.”

The Cincinnati incident comes a day after FBI Director Wray warned of increased threats against federal officials online.

Attitudes toward the FBI have darkened since the Mar-a-Lago raid.

On Mr. Trump’s own Truth Social platform, #FBIcorruption was a top trending topic this afternoon. 

“Who is the traitor to @realDonaldTrump that recommended that he hire Christopher Wray? the traitorous FBI director. Whoever that person was, [they’re] conspiring against America,” one user wrote.

Another said the FBI’s plan was to get “everyday Americans” angry “then one guy pops his top so they can blame Trump supporters.”

Others on Mr. Trump’s social media platform shared a similar view and urged the former president’s supporters not to react.

“[FBI Director] Wray didn’t address the raid, but the threats to FBI law enforcement. They have plenty of space in their J6 gulag and WANT people to react—DON’T FALL FOR IT LEAVE YOUR CELL PHONE AT HOME IF DEMONSTRATING. They track you!” said one member.

“PATRIOTS,PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS AND HEED THE WARNING THE DEEP STATE WANTS ANOTHR ‘INSURRECTION’ OUT OF THE MARA LAGO DEBACLE DON’T BE A VICTIM IN THEIR TRAP!” another responded.

Gab is a social media site popular with far-right extremists and antisemites. Users there said they’re preparing for an armed revolution.

“You only get one chance at revolution, and history is littered with the corpses of failed coups. … The plan should be for every. Last. American to prepare to defend our Homeland, by any means necessary. When they come for you, and they will, make it personal. Scare them, so the next batch of IRS deputized third worlders no-knocking another average American can only think about the atrocity of the last raid,” one user wrote.

Another suggested that the armed man’s attack on the FBI field office was a “false flag op.”

Director Wray denounced violence against law enforcement yesterday.

“Violence against law enforcement is not the answer, no matter who you’re upset with,” he said yesterday.

A Politico poll from the morning said about half of voters approved of the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago. Voters were also split on whether or not the raid was an abuse of power.


The New York Sun

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