TV Station Security Pays Off in Bizarre Standoff

TV Station Security Pays Off in Bizarre Standoff

Regularly scheduled programming was disrupted in Baltimore, Maryland on April 28 when a costumed man, outfitted with a vest that seemed to be explosive, walked into the front lobby of a TV station and demanded the materials on a flash drive be aired. What would follow would be a bizarre standoff between Baltimore Police and the 25-year-old.

Around 1 p.m., the man entered into the front lobby vestibule at a building on Baltimore’s TV Hill, the home of Fox 45, Fox News’ Baltimore affiliate. The security guard at the front desk was able to deem the man, dressed in an animal costume that lay over a bulky vest with protruding wires, dangerous and triggered the silent alarm under the desk to warn those in the building to evacuate.

During a live Periscope video filmed by Fox 45 assistant news director Casey Clark, it was learned that the station had been recently targeted in unrelated events that involved broken windows. As a result, the management decided to increase security around the building, an action they are certainly thankful for now.

As the building was being evacuated, the man remained in the lobby area. The security guard did not grant him access to the rest of the building. Around 3 p.m., the man walked out of the front vestibule toward police, ignoring their commands for him to get down, or raise his hands.

The man was shot, according to police, after he defied repeated commands. He did not receive immediate medical treatment, due to the presence of the alleged bomb. Instead, the police sent two bomb squad robots to clear the man of his costume and the explosive device.

The robots delivered the suspected explosive vest to a vacant area of a parking lot where the Baltimore bomb squad was able to determine that the object was made from a flotation device, candy bars, duct tape and the mother board of a fire extinguisher. Police believe he threaded a wire through the sleeve of the animal costume to give the appearance of a detonator in his hand.

Once the man was cleared of dangerous objects, he was taken to the nearest hospital to receive treatment for the injuries sustained in the standoff. His condition is “serious, but stable” and he is expected to survive, according to Baltimore police.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Integration Imagination: The Future of Connected Operations

    Security teams that collaborate cross-functionally and apply imagination and creativity to envision and design their ideal integrated ecosystem will have the biggest upside to corporate security and operational benefits. Read Now

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk Dies After Utah Valley University Shooting

    Charlie Kirk, a popular conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, died Wednesday after being shot during an on-campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.