BALTIMORE —Baltimore police shot a man who they said made a threat at a Baltimore television station.

WBFF-TV was evacuated Thursday afternoon after a suspicious man entered the building and a bomb threat was made.

The Baltimore Office of Emergency Management said there is an incident at WBFF-TV, at 2000 W. 41st St. It was reported around 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

WBAL-TV 11 News learned that a man dressed in a onesie with a surgical mask and sunglasses covering his face entered the TV station's front entrance. The man tried to give employees a flash drive, saying something about what's going on in the news and saying that he needs his video shown.

"The good news is our security guard (kept the man from) getting all the way into the building. We have a vestibule out front and he was in that area and didn't get past the security guard inside the building," WBFF-TV General Manager Bill Fanshawe said.

A security officer thought the situation was suspicious, so he alerted employees to evacuate and called authorities, 11 News' Lacee Griffith reported.

"He made suggestions to the person he encountered ... he said something to him and then displayed what appeared to be wires and some other things inside of his jacket that appeared to be some type of explosive device," Baltimore police Director T.J. Smith said.

Officials said a vehicle was set on fire in parking lot of the station. A rag that was set on fire was placed into the gas tank, police said. There is no explosive device within the car, and it's likely not a coincidence, police said.

"Outside of the building, a vehicle was set on fire. It appears to be arson related," Smith said. "There was not type of explosion, no type of bomb detonated at any time."

The man left the building around 3 p.m. He appeared to have some type of device in his hand so SWAT officers who were called to the scene fired, police said.

"The suspect came out of the building and started advancing toward the officers. He was not listening to any of the officers' orders. Officers were telling him to take his hands out of his pockets. He had on a hooded jacket. He had his hands in his pockets. He had a surgical mask on and a counter sniper shot the suspect," Smith said.

There is no confirmation on whether there was an actual explosive device so police said they took the situation very seriously. Police officials said, "We can't tell you right now if it's an explosive device, but it looks like it."

Police robots engage with man

SkyTeam Capt. Roy Taylor said the man was shot several times. Lead I-Team investigative reporter Jayne Miller said the first three shots were non-lethal and the fourth shot, a bullet, was fired at the man's leg, taking him down.

Two police bomb squad robots circled the man to try and determine if he had an explosive device attached to his person. Police said during this time, medics were unable to approach and treat the man until they determine if it is safe.

Miller said the man was wearing a vest that may have been filled with candy bars to give it the appearance of having some sort of explosives like C-4.

The man's onesie and clothing were eventually removed. He was then put in an armored vehicle and taken from the scene. He was taken to Shock Trauma for treatment. His condition is not clear. He has not yet been identified but is described as a white man, about 6 feet tall and believed to be in his 20s.

Meanwhile, officers investigated the removed clothing items, which did not appear to contain any explosives.

 

Police said the motive is still unclear, and police have not made entry into building. However, officials said all the TV station and police employees are accounted for and safe.

"It's a scary situation. There are crazy people out there and you be prepared for the worst. We're glad that everybody got out safely and that's what's most important. No one was hurt. No one was harmed on our staff, everybody got out of the building," Fanshawe said.

Police said the scene is not secure and is not safe. Officials are asking people to avoid the area.