By Michelle L. Price
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah authorities say they found, questioned and released a man who prompted an evacuation of the state Capitol when he left a package with an unloaded rifle on the floor and walked away.
State Highway Patrol Trooper Lawrence Hopper says 31-year-old Cameron Carl Crimefighter told troopers that his actions were a demonstration against gun violence.
Hopper says troopers do not think the man is a threat to public safety after questioning him Thursday night.
Security footage from Thursday afternoon shows a man entering the Capitol, kneeling and placing a long box underneath the rotunda. He laid a wreath on top.
A bomb squad found an unloaded semi-automatic rifle inside the box.
Hopper says troopers are still investigating the event. They aren’t sure if Crimefighter will be charged with a crime.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press