KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Ford plant in Claycomo was evacuated on Tuesday evening as authorities investigated a possible armed man barricaded inside the facility.
According to Sarah Boyd, a spokeswoman with the Clay County Sheriff's Office, Ford security received a call from the man claiming to be a disgruntled employee about 5:20 p.m.
The man said over the phone he was barricaded in a bathroom on the second floor of the facility, and that he was armed with explosives and guns.
No shots fired reported nor were any injuries, Boyd said.
Boyd said the man claimed he worked in the painting department, but the name he gave authorities didn't match any person employed there.
The man did provide the name of his supervisor who is employed at the facility, Boyd said. Authorities have pinged the man's phone and now believe the number may be spoofed.
"It is possible this is a swatting call, but we will treat the threat as real until we can prove otherwise," Boyd said.
By 8:00 p.m., Boyd said authorities were still working to determine if there was anyone inside the facility, but the whole building would be cleared.
Operations at the facility were shutdown for the night and U.S. 69 in front of Ford was shutdown. Boyd asked drivers to find an alternate route.
On Tuesday night, authorities attempted to make contact with the man but weren't able to after the initial call.
Overnight, Boyd said authorities finished searching the plant and didn't find anyone inside. It was later determined the threat was not credible.
United Auto Workers Local 249 also posted on Facebook overnight that members who were evacuated can now return to pick up personal items left behind. The plant has told Local 249 that all production shifts will be working at regular start times.
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