Cops: Downtown Threat Suspect First Stopped At WCCO
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) -- Minneapolis Police have a man in custody in connection with a threat made against a downtown Minneapolis bank Friday afternoon.
The Gaviidae Common building was evacuated Friday after a man, who police have identified as 33-year-old Philip James Pariso, made a bomb threat against the M & I Bank, according to witnesses at the scene. The bank is located near the intersection of 6th Street and Nicollet Avenue.
Police say the incident lasted 90 minutes and that the Gaviidae Common has since opened back up, as all downtown workers affected have been able to return to work. The streets which had been blocked off have also reopened.
Police say the suspect quickly surrendered peacefully, but would not immediately reveal whether Pariso had an explosive device or other weapons.
Podcast
No one was hurt in the incident.
Before the incident, at around 10 a.m. Friday, Pariso came to the WCCO-TV studios at 11th Street and Nicollet Avenue and asked to speak with a reporter but was turned away. Shortly thereafter, a man -- believed to be the same man from before -- called WCCO-TV and asked again to speak with a reporter and said if his story wasn't heard, WCCO-TV would hear about it.
Gallery: Downtown Minneapolis Bank Evacuated
WCCO-TV surveillance video shows that the man was trying to enter the WCCO-TV building just after 10 a.m. Friday. That man was identified by police as the same man taken into custody at the Gaviidae Building scene.
