SPOKANE, Wash. — The man arrested for making threats that prompted Spokane City Hall to shut down on Monday is well-known to Spokane police.
City Hall reopened Tuesday morning with extra security after being on lockdown on Monday.
On November 11 around 3 p.m., city employees received an email from a city spokesperson saying all entrances and exits of City Hall were closed because of a “reported security threat.”
Employees in the building were told they could leave if they wanted and would be escorted out by Spokane police.
The lockdown was prompted by an email sent to city council members, county commissioners and others by 46-year-old Chesed Johnson.
In the email, obtained by 4 News Now, Johnson said Monday’s city council meeting should be canceled and that he wanted police to shoot him outside of City Hall.
Around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, city council members voted to cancel Monday night’s meeting and reschedule it for Thursday.
According to SPD, Johnson was arrested in North Idaho on Tuesday for outstanding warrants. Police said additional charges will be requested for the City Hall threats.
Johnson is known to police for a lengthy history of charges, including harassment, stalking and second-degree escape for failing to follow court mandated sanctions.
In 2019 he was arrested for making threats to carry out a shooting at a downtown Spokane business.
Court documents show Johnson also made threats in late 2023 toward former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward and former Police Chief Craig Meidl.
In April 2024, he pleaded guilty to charges of stalking and intimidating a public servant.
In July, Johnson signed a therapeutic court sentencing waiver and agreement allowing him to enter mental health court.
Just two months later, he sent threatening emails and a voicemail to Mayor Lisa Brown and was charged with cyber and telephone harassment.
In late October, a judge ordered Johnson to be detained at the Spokane County Jail pending a mental health court termination hearing.
This is a developing story.
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