Updated: No evidence of an active shooter at Transportation Cabinet, police say
Employees with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet were told to evacuate the downtown Frankfort building after reports of an active shooter Wednesday but police later confirmed there was no shooter or casualties.
A call about a possible active shooter at the cabinet came in around 3 p.m., according to Kentucky State Police.
“There is no confirmation of any active shooter, casualties, or anyone injured at the Transportation Cabinet,” Frankfort police said in a Facebook post shortly after 3:30 p.m. “We have responded to the area and are currently systematically clearing and searching the location. We will provide any updates as soon as they are available.”
Gov. Andy Beshear also issued a statement late Wednesday confirming there was no shooter at the cabinet.
“KSP has cleared the buildings and confirmed no injuries or shots fired,” Beshear said on social media. “The investigation will continue. Our priority is the safety of our people, and I am personally grateful to our law enforcement for swiftly responding and ensuring everyone is safe. We will continue to keep Kentuckians updated as information is available.”
Frankfort and Franklin County officials later confirmed there was no shooter or injuries.
Franklin County Judge-Executive Michael Mueller said there was allegedly a report of a shooting on nearby Holmes Street. Mueller and police said the initial report was that someone heard gunshots. But police ultimately had no evidence of shots being fired.
Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson said shortly after 4 p.m. there have been no reports of injuries or confirmation there was a shooting.
“There were reports of shots fired,” Wilkerson said. “Our people are on the scene along with others in law enforcement. The building has been evacuated. So far there’s no confirmation of injuries or an active shooter.”
Posts on social media showed a major police presence around the time the incident was reported at 3 p.m.
Mark Marty Hulette posted a photo to Facebook that showed a significant police presence outside the building Wednesday afternoon.
“All staff have evacuated, police running in with long guns and pistols drawn. Helicopter circling. Pray for all involved,” he wrote on Facebook.
Hulette, who works across the street from the Transportation Cabinet, said he could see staff in the transportation building being evacuated and “massive police presence increasing.” Hulette said it appeared police were clearing the building section by section.
Hulette later posted that the lock down for state office buildings in the area was lifted around 4:15 p.m. and state employees could leave.
This story was originally published May 17, 2023 at 3:56 PM.
