Police close Missouri Capitol

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Police closed Missouri's Capitol to the public Sunday in response to American and British attacks in Afghanistan.

Tourists in the Capitol were ushered outside about 2:15 p.m. by armed Capitol Police. They were told the building was being closed as a precaution.

Capitol Police Chief Lou Tedeschi said there had not been any specific threats against the Capitol. But he said there is a 100 percent chance that terrorists will respond with more attacks in the United States.

"There is no indication that anything is going to happen at the Capitol, but there is an expectation that we do everything we can to protect the public," Tedeschi said.

Within minutes of asking visitors to leave, police had locked the Capitol doors and shut off some lights.

Only people who work in the Capitol were being allowed inside.

Tedeschi said police would evaluate today whether to reopen the building to the public. Many state employees are not expected to be at work today because it is Columbus Day, a state holiday.

Security has been tightened at the Capitol since Sept. 11, when terrorists hijacked airplanes and crashed them into the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Another hijacked plane crashed that day in rural Pennsylvania, apparently after some passengers fought back.

Some Capitol doors were locked Sept. 11 and for the next few days -- and police stood guard at other entrances -- but the building had remained open to the public.

On Sept. 11, Gov. Bob Holden rushed to the State Emergency Management Agency's command bunker.

Holden at game

On Sunday, however, he went ahead with his plans to attend the St. Louis Cardinals baseball game -- checking frequently with SEMA Director Jerry Uhlmann, homeland security adviser Timothy Daniel and Missouri Adj. Gen. George "Dennis" Shull, the head of the Missouri National Guard.

"They've assured him that precautions that have been in place since September 11th are continuing with a greater, heightened sense of awareness given today's strikes in Afghanistan," said Holden spokesman Jerry Nachtigal, who was working Sunday in the governor's office.

About 50 visitors had been through the Capitol before it was closed, a typical amount midway through a Sunday, said tour guide Amanda Henderson.