CBS affiliate evacuated, newscasts canceled after trespasser enters building twice

A CBS affiliate in New Mexico was evacuated after a trespasser entered the building twice on Sunday night, according to local police.

The incident comes just days after a man entered the Capital Gazette newsroom in Annapolis, Md., and shot and killed five people.

Two newscasts were canceled as a result of Sunday’s evacuation at KRQE, which is based Albuquerque, after an unidentified man entered the building without permission, sitting on a couch in the television studio at one point, according to Simon Drobik, Albuquerque Police public information officer.

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The man, who looked to be in his 20s, entered with a backpack but didn’t openly display any weapons.

After being escorted out of the building by staff members, he entered the building again a short time later, prompting police to evacuate the building shortly before a newscast was set to begin at 9 p.m. local time.

The man left the building before police were able to apprehend him.

The suspect’s intentions were not clear and officers were “searching for him,” Drobik said Sunday night.

“Our broadcast operations had to cease while police searched the premises,” KRQE wrote in a statement. “An hour and a half later police gave us the all clear and we were able to continue our broadcast operations.”

The station didn’t air its usual 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts, tweeted one of its journalists, Madeline Schmitt.

From KRQE Management (1/2) “An unauthorized person entered our building Sunday night and police were called. Our broadcast operations had to cease while police searched the premises…”

— Madeline Schmitt (@madelinedenise) July 2, 2018

“Everyone at KRQE is safe. We did not go on air tonight at 9 and 10 due to a situation that involved police. I will defer any further comment to my managers — but please know that we are all safe,” weekend anchor Schmitt also tweeted.  

Everyone at KRQE is safe. We did not go on air tonight at 9 and 10 due to a situation that involved police. I will defer any further comment to my managers — but please know that we are all safe. Many thanks to the hard work of @ABQPOLICE!

— Madeline Schmitt (@madelinedenise) July 2, 2018

A number of news outlets, including The New York Times, saw increased security and police presence following last week’s shooting in Annapolis.