Bismarck man charged after causing shelter in place Monday at state capitol building

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A Bismarck man is charged with a “C” level felony for causing a lockdown at the state capitol on Monday afternoon.

29-year-old Joseph Pratt is charged with one count of terrorizing.

North Dakota Highway Patrol and Bismarck Police responded around 2 p.m. for a report of a suicidal man on the capitol grounds with a pistol.

He refused officers commands for four hours before he was taken into custody.

People in the capitol building were told to shelter in place during the incident and they eventually left work through a designated exit.

The patrol said Pratt didn’t make any threats towards others, only himself.

His next court appearance is set for May 26.