Jacob Ogles
The FBI is investigating a bomb threat made to U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s Sarasota office.
Genevieve Judge, public information officer for the Sarasota Police Department, confirmed that a federal investigation had begun and that the local police department was working with federal authorities, but could offer few details.
“This incident is being handled by the FBI,” Judge said.
Andrea Aprea, spokesperson for the FBI’s Tampa division office, confirmed the case was still being investigated.
“This is an ongoing investigation so no details can be shared at this time,” she said.
Chloe Conboy, spokesperson for Buchanan’s Congressional office, said that the local office received a threatening call last week.
“At 7:26 p.m. Monday night our Sarasota office received a phone message from a man who said he placed a bomb in our office,” Conboy said. “The caller said, ‘I’ve placed a bomb at the office….you’re all gonna die…your kids, your husbands, everybody else.’”
“The message also included other comments of a violent nature. The area code of the caller was 941. Our office contacted the Sarasota Police Department as well as the U.S. Capitol Police,” Judge said.
But Conboy said the office could not provide any further information about the investigation, referring all questions to the FBI.
The Capitol Police have not yet responded to a request for comment.
There have been marked increases recently in threats of violence against officials, elected and otherwise, working within the federal government, including a bomb threat to the Federal Communications Commission this week, reports The News-Herald. There have also been upticks in threats to the families of members of Congress.
Motivation behind the call remains unclear.
Buchanan’s office in Sarasota is on the second floor of the Federal Building, which also houses a number of departments for the City of Sarasota. The building is located in downtown Sarasota at the corner of Ringling Boulevard and Orange Avenue.
The Sarasota Republican has held office sine 2007. He serves on the House Ways and Means Committee.
2 comments
John Kociuba
April 26, 2020 at 2:29 pm
Along with FBI investigating bomb threat maybe they can investigate their corrupt Washington D.C. coworkers?
My point is this government is separating between Constitutionalist Republicans & International Communist Democrats!
FBI has all data on these Communist Organizations within public/private sectors but does little against known Communist bad faith actors.
Counties are divided from Cities and want no part of their affiliations.
The ideals to protect and defend the United States Constitution from ALL enemies foreign and domestic will be fought in every livingroom in the United States thereby dividing lines within agencies like the FBI.
Answer: Get on your side of the line.
Jennifer Armistead
April 28, 2020 at 8:06 pm
I’m thankful to hear that Congressman Buchanan, his family and staff are safe. This extreme division needs to stop. As Americans we are blessed with the freedom to vocally disagree with our leaders, but not to harm them or anyone who who thinks differently than we do. Instead of having thoughtful, considerate debates that cause us to learn and understand each other, it seems people would rather spew hatred and threats on social media where they refuse any Intellectual challenge to their ideals, or follow the “Get in their face and tell them they are not welcome here” directives of some elected officials. We all have so much more in common as human beings than the media and extreme loud mouths on both sides of the political spectrum will have you believe. Always remember that United We Stand, But Divided We Fall.
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