Driver rams car into building on Capitol grounds, flees

A suspect is believed to have deliberately rammed the building.
A suspect is believed to have backed his vehicle up to the curb by Education Minnesota headquarters, gunned it and hit the side of the Department of Administration building.
Brian Bakst | MPR News

Police were searching Tuesday for a driver who rammed his car into the side of the Minnesota Department of Administration building, not far from the state Capitol. There were no apparent injuries.

The incident, which happened just before 2 p.m., startled workers in the building and a nearby Senate office building.

A suspect is believed to have deliberately rammed the building.
The driver reportedly fled the scene and ran off down University Avenue.
Brian Bakst | MPR News

The Jeep Grand Cherokee leaped the curb, knocked over a light post and came to rest against the Administration Department building. On the other side is an employee break room and vending area. The point of impact was against a building section a couple of feet from windows on either side.

State officials say they'll have a structural engineer look at the building but that an initial review did not show damage.

The driver fled the scene on foot, according to witnesses and authorities.

St. Paul police are investigating it as a hit-and-run but haven't found the driver yet and have no idea at this point why he did it, said police department spokesperson Mike Ernster.

It's not know if the driver has injuries, he added.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.