PITTSBURGH (AP) — A man who rammed a car into an FBI security gate in Pittsburgh and covered it in an American flag on Wednesday stated that he did it to 'make a statement,' according to the FBI.
Donald Phillip Henson, 46, from nearby Penn Hills, was captured seven hours after fleeing the crash. In his communication with FBI agents, he invoked the Latin phrase 'sic semper tyrannis,' meaning 'thus always to tyrants.' This phrase is historically attributed to John Wilkes Booth after he killed President Abraham Lincoln.
Henson has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and damaging government property and will remain in custody until a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday, per an affidavit.
Christopher Giordano, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI in Pittsburgh, commented on the incident, asserting, 'This was a targeted attack on this building.' Thankfully, no personnel were harmed during the occurrence.
Investigations revealed that Henson was known to the FBI and described as a former military member. He is listed as a Republican who voted in the 2024 general election. Reports indicate that he had visited the FBI office a few weeks prior to file an unclear complaint.
Witnesses noted that Henson’s car had a message visible on one side window and an Air Force sticker, although specific details on the message were not disclosed.
Despite the alarming nature of the incident, investigators including a bomb squad found no explosives in the vehicle after the crash. Henson's financial background is concerning; a bankruptcy filing from last year shows he had $380,000 in student loan debt, limited assets, and a shuttered business, while earning only $281 a month.
Donald Phillip Henson, 46, from nearby Penn Hills, was captured seven hours after fleeing the crash. In his communication with FBI agents, he invoked the Latin phrase 'sic semper tyrannis,' meaning 'thus always to tyrants.' This phrase is historically attributed to John Wilkes Booth after he killed President Abraham Lincoln.
Henson has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and damaging government property and will remain in custody until a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday, per an affidavit.
Christopher Giordano, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI in Pittsburgh, commented on the incident, asserting, 'This was a targeted attack on this building.' Thankfully, no personnel were harmed during the occurrence.
Investigations revealed that Henson was known to the FBI and described as a former military member. He is listed as a Republican who voted in the 2024 general election. Reports indicate that he had visited the FBI office a few weeks prior to file an unclear complaint.
Witnesses noted that Henson’s car had a message visible on one side window and an Air Force sticker, although specific details on the message were not disclosed.
Despite the alarming nature of the incident, investigators including a bomb squad found no explosives in the vehicle after the crash. Henson's financial background is concerning; a bankruptcy filing from last year shows he had $380,000 in student loan debt, limited assets, and a shuttered business, while earning only $281 a month.
