Woman in custody after threat at federal building

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A woman who claimed to have a bomb in her backpack was taken into custody on the steps of the federal building in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The woman, who is in her 40s, has not been identified. She was detained by federal authorities.

According to investigators, the woman claimed to have a bomb in her backpack and a detonator in her hand.

"She continued to talk, somewhat incoherently, about having a device in her backpack," said LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith.

The woman was first spotted at the federal building, 300 N. Los Angeles St., at about 11 a.m. Federal police did not allow her to enter the building, but reinforcements were called in after the alleged threats were made.

"She was incoherent, possibly suffering from some type of mental illness, so we did what we could to try and deescalate her," Smith said.

More than 1,000 people were asked to evacuate the building. Witnesses say the woman seemed despondent and agitated.

Police tried to communicate with the woman, but apparently she refused. About three hours into the standoff, police fired a non-lethal beanbag round at the woman before taking her into custody.

No explosives were found in her backpack, Smith said.