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Man charged after making threats from tree in downtown Columbus

Several roads surrounding a federal courthouse were shut down and a bomb squad unit with the Columbus Division of Fire was called to the scene.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A man is charged with making a terroristic threat after investigators said he threatened to bomb a federal courthouse in downtown Columbus while he was in a tree.

The Columbus Division of Fire said Thursday they received a call about the man in the tree, which was near Marconi Boulevard and Long Street, Thursday afternoon.

According to a filing by Columbus police in Franklin County Municipal Court, the man "started yelling that he had thrown a bomb on top of the nearby roof or that he had a bomb."

A ladder crew responded and the man made threats toward them, a spokesperson for the fire department said.

As a result, a bomb squad unit with the Columbus Division of Fire and the Columbus Division of Police were called to the scene.

Police said a judge ordered the evacuation of the federal courthouse and all activities inside were put on hold.

Upon arrival, officers located the man who was still up in the tree. Police said he continued to yell multiple threats, including more threats to bomb the building.

Columbus police K-9 units and hostage negotiators also responded to the incident. Several roads surrounding a federal courthouse were shut down.

According to court records, the man came down out of the tree. The man was taken into custody a little after 5:45 p.m. The Columbus Division of Fire said no devices were found.

Police wrote in court records the man did not agree to be interviewed by detectives.

The man is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday.

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