Man accused of threatening California Capitol also linked to earlier shootings, police say

A man who allegedly made a “credible” threat to the California Capitol building Thursday, disrupting the legislative session, was arrested, law enforcement officials said.

Thursday’s threat was related to prior shooting incidents in the cities of Roseville and Citrus Heights, which did not result in injuries but led to a lockdown at a Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Roseville on Wednesday night after shots were fired at the building, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The unidentified suspect was arrested just after 4 p.m. by Roseville police on suspicion of attempted homicide, assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling and shooting from a moving vehicle, the agency said.

Police had been searching for the suspect in those cases Thursday afternoon, and that suspect also made threats related to the Capitol, according to a statement released by the California Highway Patrol’s Capitol Protection Section, which provides security to state lawmakers.

“The CHP’s Capitol Protection Section is currently working closely with the Legislature, as well as our public safety partners, to ensure the safety of the public and the State Capitol,” the statement said.

A state Senate floor session was delayed and moved to another building on Thursday, and legislative staffers who had not yet reported to work were asked to remain home or work remotely.

Those who were already in the Capitol were asked to “remain in place” until more information was provided, according to a memo sent to lawmakers and staff by Secretary of the Senate Erika Contreras.

“The CHP and security partners are present in higher numbers in the Capitol area, and are alert of the situation,” the memo stated.

A similar warning was later sent to the Assembly by its Committee on Rules, asking lawmakers and staff to remain “situationally aware.”

The Capitol building was temporarily closed but will reopen Friday for guests, visitors and normal operations, according to a letter sent by legislative leadership to lawmakers and staff.