The US Capitol complex was placed on lockdown after gunshots
were heard. The gunman is being treated in hospital and one police
officer was wounded, although it is not thought to be serious.
Washington DC's police
department later tweeted: "There has been an isolated incident at the US
capitol. There is no active threat to the public." The police chief
said that the incident was sparked when the suspect drew what appeared
to be a weapon and pointed it at officers. Initial reports suggest the
suspect was known to officials.
The shots were reportedly fired at the visitor's centre and
workers were instructed to "shelter in place". The complex was placed on
lockdown in response to the "potential security threat", but it has
since been lifted.
Two civilians were reportedly injured, including a women who
was wounded from shrapnel, according to a Sky News report. The Capitol
reopened at 4.00pm ET (9.00pm GMT).
A police officer who asked not to be named said the shooter
was being transported to hospital. A description of the suspect was not
given and there are no additional suspects, according to a Reuters report.
Therapist Cathryn Leff was at the complex when the shots
rang out. In a series of tweets, she posted: "Was at the Visitor's
Center...shots heard while going through security it was a
scramble...Capitol Evacuated after hiding behind wall."
US Congress is currently on recess, with relatively few lawmakers present in Washington, but some staff members were on site. To gain access to the US Capitol or any Senate or House office buildings, visitors are required to go through a metal detector and weapons are banned.
Washington is on a heightened state of alert following terror attacks in Brussels
last week. Dozens of emergency vehicles were despatched to the Capitol
building and police officers with automatic rifles were deployed as road
barricades were erected.
Visitor Diane Bilo from Ohio told the Washington Post that her husband heard the discharge. "My husband said he heard a shot followed by a full clip," said Bilo.
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