Man Killed At Seattle Courthouse

A man was shot and killed inside Seattle's downtown federal courthouse, which was evacuated Monday after he walked inside the building and made threats, police said.

The suspect - who witnesses described as a balding white man in his 50's - entered the lobby of the 23-story federal building shortly before noon with what appeared to be a hand grenade, police spokeswoman Christie-Lynne Bonner said. Police and federal agents responded and shot the man.

Fire department medics couldn't treat the suspect for more than an hour because the bomb squad had to make sure his backpack was safe. The World War II-style grenade did not explode, and the backpack did not contain any explosives.

One witness said the suspect was shot in the head and chest.

U.S. Marshal Eric Robertson said the man was stopped before going through security. He then began shouting threats.

Robertson said the entire federal building was evacuated, but some employees were allowed to return while the bomb squad worked. Streets surrounding the building also were cordoned off as dozens of police cars responded.

"I was sitting at the courthouse and having my lunch and ... all of a sudden, police were jumping out of their cars with guns pulled. I heard them say 'He's in the lobby' and I heard people yelling 'Get out of here, get out of here,'" juror Beth Bronson told CBS affiliate KIRO.

Jurors were told the building was being evacuated because of a bomb threat, Piontkowski said. They were ushered outside and told to move quickly.

The new federal courthouse opened last August. Many of the major security features of the $171 million high-rise at Seventh Avenue and Stewart Street are disguised. Even glass walls that permit ample sunlight are blast-resistant.

The new courthouse houses the U.S. Marshals Service, judges, support staff and court clerks, as well as the U.S. Attorney's Office, bankruptcy courts, and probation and pretrial services.

It holds 13 district courtrooms, five bankruptcy courtrooms, and 22 suites for judges and their staff. Secure hallways lead from cell blocks into the courtrooms, so prisoners don't contact the public - unlike in the old building.