Armed police have placed the lobby of the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago on lockdown after a man armed with a knife reportedly threatened to harm himself. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far.
The U.S. Marshals Service announced the situation shortly before 11 a.m., advising individuals to avoid the area around 219 S. Dearborn St. Brady McCarron, a spokesperson for the US Marshals, confirmed that a male was in the courthouse lobby with a knife but assured that there was “no danger to [the] public.” The lobby has since been cleared, and the building remains secured while authorities manage the incident.
A dispatcher revealed the gravity of the situation, indicating that the individual had a knife to his throat and was threatening suicide. Surveillance footage showed people cautiously observing the building from across the street, while emergency vehicles gathered at the scene. Traffic was halted along South Dearborn, and a drone was deployed to monitor the situation.
As of approximately 11:45 a.m., the Chicago Fire Department had an ambulance on standby, prepared to respond if the situation escalated. Larry Merritt, a spokesperson for the department, reiterated that someone was threatening to harm themselves. Both the FBI and the Chicago Police Department are also actively responding to the unfolding incident.
This remains a developing story, and the situation is being addressed with care, emphasizing the importance of mental health support and intervention during crises.