SPOKANE, Wash – A man was arrested on Tuesday for making threats that caused Spokane City Hall to go into lockdown on Monday afternoon.
A city spokesperson sent an email to city employees just before 3 p.m. on November 11, saying all entrances and exits were closed because of a “reported security threat.”
Employees were told they could leave if they wanted and would be escorted out by Spokane Police.
4 News Now obtained an email that was sent to city council members, county commissioners and others on Monday afternoon by 46-year-old Chesed Johnson, a man with a history of threats.
The email referenced past accusations against Johnson and his desire not to go to prison.
In the email, Johnson said Monday’s City Council meeting should be canceled and that he wanted police to shoot him outside of City Hall.
Around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Spokane City Council also voted to reschedule Monday night’s meeting to Thursday, November 14.
According to Spokane Police Department, Johnson was arrested in north Idaho on Tuesday for outstanding Washington arrest warrants.
SPD said additional charges will be requested for the City Hall threats.
Johnson is known by SPD for threatening to kidnap former Spokane mayor Nadine Woodward during her time in office.
He was also arrested for threatening to carry out a shooting at a downtown Spokane business in 2019.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as we get it.
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