Texas Capitol grounds closed after threat posted ahead of protest

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Protesters were evacuated from the Texas state Capitol grounds in Austin on Tuesday evening after the Texas Department of Public Safety said someone posted on social media calling on others to go to the building and “take action by shooting and killing those who will not allow lawmakers to leave.”

The evacuation happened moments before a planned protest was scheduled to start outside of the House chamber in the wake of redistricting efforts in the state.

One lawmaker has refused to leave the Capitol after rejecting a requirement to be monitored by a DPS escort. Democratic Rep. Nicole Collier was later joined by other colleagues, also opting to spend the night in the chamber.

“We are grateful for the Texas Department of Public Safety troopers whose swift and professional response to today’s security threat ensured that all representatives, staff, and members of the public were safe. Violence and threats have no place in our democratic process, and we unequivocally condemn any threats against public servants or law enforcement, regardless of political differences,” Collier and Texas House Minority Leader Rep. Gene Wu said in a statement.

DPS issued the following statement:

“Earlier today, an individual posted a message on social media regarding the ongoing political situation at the Texas State Capitol. In that message, the individual calls on others to go to the Capitol building and take action by shooting and killing those who will not allow lawmakers to leave. For the safety of those at the Texas State Capitol, and out of an abundance of caution, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) evacuated the public from the Capitol building around 6:30 this evening. It will remain closed to the public for the remainder of the day. DPS personnel are working to identify the individual responsible for posting the message on social media. As the investigation is ongoing, no additional information will be released. DPS takes all safety threats seriously and asks anyone who sees anything suspicious to please report it immediately. These can be reported via theiWatchTexas mobile app, online at www.iwatchtx.org or by calling 1-844-643-2251. All reports are confidential. For emergencies, please call 9-1-1.”

After the evacuation, some protesters moved outside the Capitol grounds and remained there until roughly 10 p.m.

“We got a little rowdy, we started chanting some loud chants and right as soon as we were done, here comes the Captain or whatever saying that there’s an imminent shooter threat,” one of those protesters said.

Protesters said DPS showed some of them the social media video in an attempt to show the situation was serious and get them to leave the building quickly.