BREAKING: Possible hostage situation in Jeff City

 


Updated 12:12 p.m.

Police say there's no confirmation of shots fired or hostages taken at a Jefferson City office building near the Governor's Mansion that's been under lockdown.

Employees in the 10-story Governor Office Building were told over the intercom to remain in the offices with their doors locked. Police were gradually evacuating the building.

The Governor Office Building primarily houses the staff of the Missouri Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities. It also is home to the state's consumer advocacy office and a development finance board.

Employees connected with each of those offices were reached by telephone. None of those employees said anything unusual had happened.

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Earlier

Two SWAT teams are entering the building.

No shots fired, authorities confirm.

Here's how it started. A woman on the building's 5th floor overheard something on an intercom that led her to believe there was a hostage situation.

A security firm was contacted, which called Jefferson City police, leading to the lockdown.

We'll update as more information becomes available.-------------------------

Statehouse correspondent Jason Noble just called in to report a possible hostage situation in Jeff City.

Noble said law enforcement officials told him the event is occurring in a building known as the Governor's Office Building across the street from the governor's mansion on Capitol Avenue (not the state Capitol building).

(UPDATE: Here's Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder on Twitter talking about the incident.)

In the background as Noble talked: a law enforcement helicopter. He said officers with assault rifles were visible with one standing on the lawn of the governor's mansion itself. Lots of police cars, too.

But at the same time, Noble said office building workers could be seen in windows. One man held a cup of coffee in his hand. Police were not waving reporters away from the scene, which was a bit unusual.

More as we get it.