Witness: Hostage situation at Missouri government building
 

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From the BNO Newsroom.

JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI (BNO NEWS) -- A hostage situation is reportedly taking place at a government office building in Jefferson City, Missouri, witnesses told BNO News on Tuesday. Heavily armed officers were seen patrolling the area.

The incident is taking place at the Governor Office Building on Madison Street, but is not related to the governor of Missouri. The Governor Office Building houses primarily the Missouri Public Service Commission, among other offices.

The situation began around 10 a.m. local time when some employees were moved down to the first floor, an employee told BNO News by telephone from inside the locked down building.

"We're locked down in an office here," the employee said, while adding there were sharpshooters on the roofs of surrounding buildings. The witness said she had not heard any gunfire since the incident began, and could not confirm if anyone had actually been taken hostage.

"Sharpshooters on roof Jefferson [building]," Lt. Governor Peter Kinder wrote on his Twitter page. "Hostage situation unfolding in Governor Office [building]. Police locked down the block."

The Lt. Governor, who is currently running for re-election, said the situation appeared to be unfolding on the fifth floor of the building. "God bless our police and all first responders!," he wrote.

Few official details were immediately available, and police officials did not immediately confirm if a hostage situation was in fact taking place.

Around 200 to 250 people work in the office building, which is located near the Governor's Mansion.

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