The gunman who authorities say tried to breach the FBI’s Cincinnati office on Thursday morning was fatally shot by police after an hours-long standoff.
Ohio State Highway Patrol wrote on Twitter that law enforcement partners “attempted to negotiate with the suspect” in an effort to end the standoff peacefully. When negotiations failed, officers unsuccessfully “attempted to take the suspect into custody by utilizing less lethal tactics.” Police said the armed suspect was shot and killed just before 4 p.m.
“At approximately 3:42 p.m., the suspect raised a firearm and shots were fired by law enforcement officers. The suspect succumbed to fatal injuries on scene,” the highway patrol tweeted.
The FBI Cincinnati field office alerted the public earlier Thursday that an “armed subject” tried to break into the building around 9 a.m. An alarm and agent response spooked the gunman, the office said, causing him to flee.
“At approximately 9 AM this morning an armed subject attempted to breach the Visitor Screening Facility at #FBI Cincinnati,” the office tweeted. “After an alarm and a response by FBI special agents, the subject fled north onto Interstate 71.”
According to The Washington Times, an anonymous official briefed on the matter said the suspect was identified as 42-year-old Ricky Shiffer.
FBI Director Christopher Wray released a statement after the Ohio FBI office was attacked, which read:
Unfounded attacks on the integrity of the FBI erode respect for the rule of law and are a grave disservice to the men and women who sacrifice so much to protect others. Violence and threats against law enforcement, including the FBI, are dangerous and should be deeply concerning to all Americans. Every day I see the men and women of the FBI doing their jobs professionally and with rigor, objectivity, and a fierce commitment to our mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution. I am proud to serve alongside them.
The attack occurred just days after FBI agents raided former President Donald Trump’s home in Palm Beach, Florida. Shortly after the unprecedented raid, “Civil War” began trending on Twitter.
President Joe Biden’s Attorney General Merrick Garland later admitted that he personally approved the search warrant which led to the raid of Trump’s home. The attorney general then went on to portray the DOJ and FBI as victims of “unfounded attacks” targeting agents’ and prosecutors’ professionalism.
“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,” Garland said, adding that he is “honored to work alongside them.”