A Chicago man allegedly told security officers in the lobby of the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Tuesday that “gangbangers” were trying to kill him before putting a knife to his own throat and threatening to harm himself, prompting an evacuation of the building and a standoff
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that lasted more than nine hours.Mario Santoyo, 38, was charged in a criminal complaint filed Friday with possession of a dangerous weapon in a federal facility with intent to use the weapon in the commission of a crime, which is punishable by up to five years in federal prison.
He’s scheduled to appear in court Friday afternoon. It was not immediately known if he’d hired a lawyer.
The complaint alleged Santoyo entered the courthouse at 219 S. Dearborn St. shortly before 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and asked to speak with the FBI about “gangsters” or “gangbangers” who were trying to kill him.
A security officer directed him to the FBI headquarters on West Roosevelt Road. Santoyo initially walked away, but then returned and was told he had to leave unless he had other business in the courthouse, the complaint alleged.
At that point, Santoyo put a knife to his throat and threatened to kill himself, refusing multiple commands to drop the weapon, the complaint stated. FBI agents arrived on the scene and an hourslong standoff ensued, with Santoyo remaining in the lobby of the building with the knife to his throat, the complaint states.
Meanwhile, Chicago police and Department of Homeland Security officers blocked off traffic on Dearborn Street, Jackson Boulevard, and Adams and Clark. A Chicago police SWAT van sat parked at Jackson and Dearborn, next to an armored military-style truck as curious passersby snapped photos and took video of the scene.
Initially, people who were already in the 27-story building were allowed to continue activities, with free movement allowed from the second floor and above. Shortly after 2:30 p.m., however, authorities began going floor to floor telling people they had to evacuate.
Dozens of lawyers, courthouse workers and other people who had business in the courthouse could be seen leaving through the rear lobby doors and walking east to State Street.
Shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday, about nine and a half hours after the standoff began, law enforcement used “non-lethal force” to take Santoyo into custody, according to the charges. A second knife was allegedly found in his possession.
He was taken to a hospital for treatment for minor wounds to his neck and released Friday.