Agriculture Department Closes Offices in 5 States After Threats

The Fort Collins building for the United States Department of Agriculture is closed along with five other buildings across five states on Tuesday due to anonymous violent threats.

At this time, we don’t know what the exact threats were but a spokesman for the federal agency says the anonymous messages were about the safety of workers and buildings.

West Virginia offices in Kearneysville and Leetown are closed, but state Department of Agriculture Director of Communications Butch Antolini could offer no other details.

Herrick said his department is working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and law enforcement agencies to investigate the threats and determine whether they’re credible.

Six USDA offices across the nation were forced to shut down. Herrick said in addition to the Leetown office, two USDA offices in CT would remain closed Wednesday.

Herrick said the threat was one email message sent to multiple employees at all the locations. He asked employees to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity.

Most offices, Herrick said, would reopen on Wednesday “with additional security enhancements, including the presence of law enforcement or security personnel”.

Also affected was USDA’s sprawling agricultural research center and library in Beltsville, which is the USDA’s largest scientific installation, according to its website.

In his memo to employees, Vilsack said employees could telework or take authorized leave.

The temporary closures may have affected some tourists.

WNCN CBS North Carolina contributed to this article.