PITTSBURGH (RTWNews) — A man who rammed his car into an FBI security gate in Pittsburgh and covered it with an American flag on Wednesday has stated he did it to 'make a statement', according to the FBI.
Donald Phillip Henson, captured seven hours post-crash, quoted the Latin phrase 'sic semper tyrannis', meaning 'thus always to tyrants', during his conversation with authorities, a phrase historically linked to John Wilkes Booth after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
Henson, 46, from nearby Penn Hills, faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon and damaging government property. He is currently held in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
Christopher Giordano, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI in Pittsburgh, expressed that this was a targeted attack on the federal building, though no FBI personnel were injured in the incident.
Details about Henson's motive or escape from initial capture are still unclear. The FBI had previous interactions with Henson, including a visit he made to the FBI field office weeks prior, presenting a complaint that authorities noted was incoherent.
Witnesses reported that Henson’s vehicle had messages on the side window and displayed a U.S. Air Force sticker. No explosives were found during the investigation.
The security officer monitoring the gate initially assumed Henson was experiencing a medical emergency when the vehicle approached. However, the officer remained in the booth out of concern that Henson was retrieving a weapon rather than assisting his apparent medical distress.
In financial distress, Henson previously disclosed approximately $380,000 in student loan debt and limited income in a bankruptcy filing last year.
Donald Phillip Henson, captured seven hours post-crash, quoted the Latin phrase 'sic semper tyrannis', meaning 'thus always to tyrants', during his conversation with authorities, a phrase historically linked to John Wilkes Booth after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
Henson, 46, from nearby Penn Hills, faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon and damaging government property. He is currently held in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
Christopher Giordano, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI in Pittsburgh, expressed that this was a targeted attack on the federal building, though no FBI personnel were injured in the incident.
Details about Henson's motive or escape from initial capture are still unclear. The FBI had previous interactions with Henson, including a visit he made to the FBI field office weeks prior, presenting a complaint that authorities noted was incoherent.
Witnesses reported that Henson’s vehicle had messages on the side window and displayed a U.S. Air Force sticker. No explosives were found during the investigation.
The security officer monitoring the gate initially assumed Henson was experiencing a medical emergency when the vehicle approached. However, the officer remained in the booth out of concern that Henson was retrieving a weapon rather than assisting his apparent medical distress.
In financial distress, Henson previously disclosed approximately $380,000 in student loan debt and limited income in a bankruptcy filing last year.
