Police say man threatened to kill people in Maryland

CROFTON, Md (WMAR) - Authorities say they were granted an emergency petition to take a man into custody after he threatened to "load my guns and blow someone up."

The man was in the process of being fired from his job at a Federal Contracting company when the threats were made.

Investigators say the suspect, who has yet to be identified, was taken into custody in Crofton, MD early Friday morning.

Authorities say they had an emergency petition giving them the right to enter his home and take him into custody based on their investigation. That petition was granted after the man was deemed a threat to himself and the public.

Some people who live in the area were evacuated before police entered the man's home.

According to officials, the man was facing termination from his job at Pitney Bowes, a postage meter company, in Prince George's County. Police say he had worked with the company for a number of years.

Authorities opened a 36 hour investigation after the man had told his co-workers "I'm a joker, I'm going to load my guns and blow someone up."

Authorities say they found an "arsenal" of weapons in his home at the time of his arrest and that he had made threats directed toward his employer.

Police say the talked to the man yesterday and he was spotted wearing a t-shirt that read "Guns don't kill people, I do."

The man was taken to the Anne Arundel County Medical Center for a mental evaluation and treatment.

A law enforcement source told WJLA that they believe the foiled shooting "could have been another Aurora," making reference to the mass shooting that happened last Friday at a suburban Denver movie theater.

This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.