Full Breakdown
FBI Pittsburgh Field Office Targeted in Alleged Act of Terror
9/17/2025, 7:54:50 PM
Incident Overview
Early Wednesday morning, at approximately 2:40 a.m., Donald Henson, a resident of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, allegedly drove a white Toyota sedan into the metal gate of the FBI's Pittsburgh field office. Following the crash, Henson exited the vehicle, removed an American flag from the backseat, and threw it over the gate before fleeing the scene on foot. No injuries were reported among FBI personnel.
Official Response and Investigation
FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Giordano described the incident as a "targeted attack" and an "act of terror against the FBI." He emphasized that the bureau would pursue prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. Henson was taken into custody later that morning, around 10 a.m., after a brief manhunt. Giordano noted that Henson had previously visited the FBI office to make a complaint that was deemed nonsensical and did not warrant any federal charges.
Background of the Suspect
Henson is a former military member with a reported history of mental health issues. The FBI indicated that he may have been experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the incident. Authorities noted that Henson's vehicle bore some form of derogatory writing, although it did not appear to target any specific group.
Criticism & Opposition
While the FBI initially labeled the incident as an act of terror, some reports indicated that the bureau later walked back this characterization, suggesting that it may not be treated as a terrorism case. This shift in language has raised questions about the motivations behind the attack and the classification of such incidents.
Conflicting Reports
There is a discrepancy regarding the FBI's stance on whether the incident constitutes an act of terrorism. While Giordano initially described it as such, other FBI officials later indicated that it may not be classified under terrorism laws. Additionally, details surrounding Henson's motivations remain unclear, with no specific charges filed against him by the afternoon following the incident.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We look at this as an act of terror against the FBI. This was a targeted attack on this building,” — Christopher Giordano, FBI Special Agent in Charge
- “Thankfully no one was hurt, but we are going to exhaust every ability we have under the federal law to find, apprehend and prosecute this subject to the fullest extent.” — Christopher Giordano, FBI Special Agent in Charge
What's Next
The FBI continues to investigate the incident, seeking to understand Henson's motivations and any potential connections to broader threats against federal agencies. Authorities are urging the public to report any sightings or information related to Henson.
