Interstate 68 in West Virginia was shut down by police after threats were made to kill President Donald Trump and blow up the Pentagon building, according to reports on March 27.
A 42-year-old man was detained for questioning after police searched his vehicle, finding explosive powder and a firearm, said State Police.
State Police, the FBI, and the Secret Service are investigating. According to The Associated Press, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded to the incident.
The incident unfolded during a 10:30 a.m. traffic stop near Bruceton Mills, leading to an investigation that led to the highway being shut down, WCHS-TV reported.
Traffic was diverted off the interstate and drivers were asked to find other routes.
It reopened at around 2:30 p.m., the report said.
Other details about the case, including the suspect’s name, were not provided.
Dominion Post reporter Ben Conley elaborated to the news outlet about the closure.
“They’ve got cones set up kind of ushering you off I-68 at the Bruceton Mills exit, exit 23,” he said. “I would say this exit is probably still miles from the actual incident, whatever is going on,” Conley added.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of people pulling off at the exit up here confused—asking what’s going on, talking to one another, trying to give each other directions,” he said. “I was just speaking with one lady who was on her way from Kentucky to Ocean City, and she’s just kind of sitting here stranded right now like a lot of folks. “
Other Recent Threats
An Illinois man got mental health treatment and substance abuse counseling after pleading guilty to making online threats against President Donald Trump.Pickett pleaded guilty in an agreement with prosecutors in October, after authorities said he posted several times online that he wanted to assassinate Trump.
The posts included frequent profanity and detailed death threats. Pickett also taunted federal authorities when he wasn’t immediately arrested.
His co-workers reported the threatening posts to the Secret Service. He was later arrested.
Under terms of his sentencing last week, Pickett also will be on supervised release for three years.