Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion (DFL- Minneapolis) says he supports the idea of pursuing different security options at the Minnesota State Capitol complex.
This all comes after a Wisconsin man arrested for trespassing on the capitol campus three times in 24 hours, even after being found naked in the Senate chamber on Friday night.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and State Patrol are launching three independent investigations to boost security for Minnesota lawmakers.
State Patrol Colonel Christina Bogojevic confirms the incident is under investigation.
"This is about bringing fresh eyes and objectivity to a place that holds great meaning for Minnesotans," Bogojevic says.
Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson says there's also a broader review of capitol security in general, and a contract with a third party security firm is close to being finished.
"If there are gaps in security protocols, if there's gaps in equipment, if there's gaps in funding, if there's gaps in personnel, we are going to address that," notes Jacobson. "We're going to do the very best we can to keep the capital area security safe."
Also announced was the state's involvement in a third party review of the Brooklyn Park Police's response to the June political attacks on state lawmakers.
Champion says he himself has added additional security after former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed back in June, along with the shooting of State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.
"You know, we took some added precautions both at home in order to make sure that we have added security measures," says Champion. "And then, to know that we are reviewing and going to implement some serious security issues at the capitol makes me feel safe."
The Department of Public Safety says the Minnesota State Patrol has started discussing the importance of hiring third-party firm to conduct the review.
"Whenever you can have a fresh set of eyes that can look at any situation, it certainly helps," Champion added. "And so I can't see how it would hurt. I can only see that it will help, so I think it's a good idea."
Also in support of increased security is Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz, who said earlier this week it's obvious the building needs more resources to keep it safe.
"There's no state that allows so many open access points that you can get in from any corner anywhere," Walz explained. "The door the individual came through did not set off an alarm."
The discovery of the man at the capitol came just six weeks after the fatal shooting of Hortman. It has since prompted the top House and Senate Republican leaders to demand answers about how it happened and what steps might be taken to prevent it from happening again.
The man was found in the Senate chamber around 11:30 p.m. Friday, the chief House sergeant-at-arms, Lori Hodapp, said in an email to representatives.
“The individual made statements indicating a belief that he was the Governor, among other remarks, and was found disrobed,” Hodapp said.
Capitol Security responded promptly, she said, and the man was taken to a St. Paul hospital for evaluation. He was deemed not to be a threat to himself or others and was released, but he returned to the Capitol grounds at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.
“An investigation is currently underway to determine how the individual gained access to the Senate Chamber and Capitol facilities after hours," Hodapp wrote. "We are examining all aspects of this incident to address any security concerns.”
The sergeant-at-arms also said the man had an active probation-violation warrant from Wisconsin on his record, but that it did not initially allow for his transfer. It has since been updated, she added “and appropriate measures will be taken upon next contact.”
“It’s frustrating that an individual with a criminal history was able to allegedly vandalize the Capitol and unlawfully trespass in the Senate chamber without being taken into custody,” Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth, of Cold Spring, said in a statement. “Anyone who trespasses in any building — let alone the State Capitol — should be arrested and prosecuted for breaking the law, and I look forward to learning why this did not take place in this highly disturbing incident.”
GOP Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks, also expressed disappointment.
“We are living in a heightened threat environment,” Johnson said in a statement. "I expect the State Patrol and Capitol Security teams will thoroughly review what happened and give Capitol officials and staff, and the public, their assurances that this will not happen again.”
The head of the State Patrol, Col. Christina Bogojevic, said there was no immediate indication that the man broke into the Capitol, which is open to the public during business hours. She said officials were reviewing security video to try to determine his exact whereabouts while he was inside.
Bogojevic said the man was nonviolent when he was spotted on the Capitol grounds Saturday morning, and he was taken back to the same hospital for another evaluation.
“The safety and well-being of everyone who works at and visits the Capitol is our top priority,” Bogojevic said in a statement. “We take this situation seriously and are committed to understanding how it occurred.”
Legislative and administration leaders have begun discussions about whether security at the Capitol and for lawmakers should be tightened following the June 14 shootings that left Hortman and her husband dead, and a state senator and his wife seriously injured. Authorities say they were attacked at their homes by a man disguised as a police officer.
The alleged gunman, Vance Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, is facing federal and state murder charges and other counts. His lawyer says he plans to plead not guilty at his federal arraignment, which has been rescheduled to Aug. 7 from Sept. 12.