Hastings Judicial Center Locked Down Following Gun Claims

The Dakota County Government Services Center campus in Hastings was on lockdown Thursday morning after an unidentified man allegedly claimed to have a gun. At about 8:35 a.m., a deputy heard an individual yelling about having a gun in the parking lot of the Judicial Center.

Several witnesses also reported hearing a man yelling in the parking lot. All buildings in the campus were placed on lockdown and, due to the quick actions of responding deputies and officers from the Hastings Police Department, the individual was located inside the Government Center complex shortly thereafter, according to a news release.

A man at the point of entry screening was found to have an unopened 750 ml bottle of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, according to a news release. The subject was taken into custody without incident.

The individual was identified as 37-year-old Chance Amos Thern Schwersinske. He was detained for questioning and later released due to insufficient evidence of a threat.

No weapons were found, according to police. The campus was reopened for business at 9:05 a.m. The campus includes the Administration Center, Judicial Center, Law Enforcement Center, and Juvenile Services Center.

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