(CALMATTERS) – A “credible threat” prompted an evacuation of the California state Capitol Thursday morning before the Senate’s floor session. Lawmakers moved to a nearby office building on O Street, and staffers who had not arrived were instructed to work remotely.
The suspect, identified as Jackson Pinney, 30, of Hayward, was arrested after 4 p.m. in Granite Bay after authorities asked the public for help in finding the suspect and two vehicles.
Pinney was also linked to drive-by shootings in Roseville Wednesday night at a Kaiser Permanente medical facility and in Citrus Heights early Thursday, according to a statement from the California Highway Patrol. No injuries were reported in either incident, but Roseville police said the suspect was considered armed and dangerous.
Pinney was charged with attempted homicide, assault with a firearm, shooting from a moving vehicle and shooting at an occupied dwelling. Roseville police said the investigation is ongoing, but a motive remained unclear.
Assembly Republicans, who are pushing a raft of crime bills this session, quickly sought to capitalize on what they said was Pinney’s criminal record.
The Capitol was closed during parts of Thursday while authorities were searching for the suspect.
Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon issued a joint statement on the threat, saying that the evacuation was issued out of an abundance of caution.
“We apologize for the adjustments and interruptions to the members of the public who planned to come to the Capitol today to make their voices heard,” the statement said. “In this situation, we must put everyone’s safety and security first. We encourage everyone to stay alert and stay safe.”