Kentucky State Police: No armed man in state building

Dozens of people were evacuated Wednesday from a state government building after reports surfaced about an armed intruder.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office and Kentucky State Police investigated the report and said there was no credible evidence of an active shooter in the CHR building at 275 East Main Street. But police said that the response was appropriate, given recent workplace violence issues that have dominated the news. Investigators said it is best to err on the side of caution.

The all clear was given around 11:15 a.m., however, police planned to make another safety sweep of the building, which houses several different agencies, including the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. No one was allowed to enter as of noon.

Reports of an armed shooter began rolling in Wednesday morning, and spread quickly as loved ones inside the building made phone calls, sent one another text messages or posted messages on social media. Police say those reports seemed to escalate for them, too.

Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton said someone called 911 because they thought they saw someone walking down the hall with a gun. Then police received another call and those reports grew.

Multiple agencies then rushed to the large building that houses more than 500 employees.

Melton said police were dispatched on reports of an armed intruder, so they evacuated the building as a precaution.

Some people immediately ran out of the building; others locked themselves inside their offices. People were evacuated and shuttled away from the building, which houses several businesses. The shuttle took people to nearby Kentucky State University and dozens of others were standing outside.

Sheriff Melton said he spoke with the woman who initially alerted police and they believe she was legitimately concerned but possibly mistaken about what she saw.

The sheriff said police went through "very methodically" and checked each floor to make sure there was not anybody with a gun or any weapons. They eventually determined the building was safe. Units stayed on the scene and searched the building. Once the sweeps are completed, police say they will allow people to return.

Melton said their training and the procedures of the state offices paid off as everything went as smoothly as possible. He acknowledged that there was a "bit of panic for a while."

"In light of recent workplace violence issues we would like to err on the side of caution," Melton said. "You've got to take it on its face value that you are dealing with what you are dealing with and when somebody calls and says 'hey, we've got a guy with a gun,' you've got to react accordingly."

Robert Warfel with the Frankfort Police Department agreed.

"When we believe there is an active shooter we pull out all the stops," he said.