Ward 1 D.C. Council member Jim Graham sent the following email out to the Columbia Heights email list just before 1 p.m.:

Dear Friends,

At approximately 11:30 am, Target received a call there is an explosive device in the building. An off duty MPD officer working at Target received the call and reported it to Management.

Management has evacuated the building as a result of what MPD says was a phone threat. 200 persons have been evacuated. I have spoken personally to the MPD officers who are in charge of the sweep. They see this as very possibly routine they are taking all due precautions. The dogs are entering the building now.

Explosive Ordinance Division (EOD) with the MPD is on the scene. 14th St has been closed between Irving St. and Park Rd.

Inspector Delgado has advised the EOD sweep of the building will take approximately 45 minutes.

Bests, Councilmember Jim Graham

Here's what Michael told us:

Authorities have locked down Penn Ave around 2nd and 3rd and have told everyone to get off the street and stay away from windows and doors. The Capitol Police have sent cops around to make sure that is followed.

Word is there is a Jeep Cherokee is being dismantled. Cops are openly armed. There may be different units, but without access to outside, there's no way to tell.