A Pennsylvania man has been arrested after he allegedly rammed his car into the main entrance gate of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office in what officials described as a deliberate attack.
The incident occurred at around 2.40am on Wednesday when a vehicle drove at high speed into the metal security barrier outside the building. The driver, identified as 42-year-old Donald Henson of Penn Hills, fled the scene on foot but was later apprehended, the FBI confirmed.
Christopher Giordano, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh office, described the incident as a “targeted attack” and “an act of terror against the FBI”.
Authorities said Henson’s white sedan had “some vulgarity” scrawled on its exterior, including references suggesting possible suicidal intent. After crashing, Henson reportedly removed an American flag from his trunk and planted it on the damaged gate before running away.
Images showed the car, with a door left ajar, resting against the twisted metal barrier near a guard post. No injuries were reported.
Officials said Henson is a former member of the US military and may have been experiencing a mental health crisis. In recent weeks, he had reportedly visited the FBI office to make a complaint that agents said “didn’t make a whole lot of sense.”
Giordano confirmed that the bureau had told him no federal crime had been identified in relation to his previous complaint.
The Pittsburgh police department said officers initially responded to a call about a crash on East Carson Street, before the FBI assumed control of the case.
The bureau is now working with the US attorney’s office to prepare charges against Henson. Investigators said they do not yet know whether he was armed.
The FBI stressed that the building remains secure and operations are continuing as normal.
