Shots fired at U.S. Capitol; building in lockdown - Washington Times
Capitol police said Thursday that shots were reported fired outside the Capitol and all staffers were warned to stay inside and away from doors.
“There’s a report of gunfire on Capitol Hill. If you are in an office building, shelter in place,” an audio message broadcast to Capitol offices said, also warning those on the grounds outside to seek cover. All building entrances were locked down and police said nobody was allowed to come or go.
Rep. Gerald Connolly and Matthew Cartwight were having a conversation on the House balcony when they heard two bursts of about seven or eight rounds.
“We were like what is that,” Mr. Connolly said. ” I thought fireworks.”
Then the Capitol Police started waving for them to go inside.
Staffers said the shooter had been caught and apparently an officer was injured.
As the reports came through, a convoy of Capitol Police cars sped up Constitution Avenue and officers were scouring the area just outside the Senate with rifles at the ready.
At one point an officer was crouched with a rifle to his shoulder as he guarded visitors who had been walking up a path around the Capitol.
A notice broadcast on the internal television system ordered employees to “close, lock and stay away from external doors and windows.”
Minutes after the alert went out, police had barricaded off Constitution Avenue and had shut down the grounds.
The House went into recess just about the time the alert went out, while the Senate remained in session but went into a “quorum call,” which essentially halted business — though key staffers remained on the chamber floor.
[video=youtube;TR3LpriSmxM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR3LpriSmxM[/video]
Capitol police said Thursday that shots were reported fired outside the Capitol and all staffers were warned to stay inside and away from doors.
“There’s a report of gunfire on Capitol Hill. If you are in an office building, shelter in place,” an audio message broadcast to Capitol offices said, also warning those on the grounds outside to seek cover. All building entrances were locked down and police said nobody was allowed to come or go.
Rep. Gerald Connolly and Matthew Cartwight were having a conversation on the House balcony when they heard two bursts of about seven or eight rounds.
“We were like what is that,” Mr. Connolly said. ” I thought fireworks.”
Then the Capitol Police started waving for them to go inside.
Staffers said the shooter had been caught and apparently an officer was injured.
As the reports came through, a convoy of Capitol Police cars sped up Constitution Avenue and officers were scouring the area just outside the Senate with rifles at the ready.
At one point an officer was crouched with a rifle to his shoulder as he guarded visitors who had been walking up a path around the Capitol.
A notice broadcast on the internal television system ordered employees to “close, lock and stay away from external doors and windows.”
Minutes after the alert went out, police had barricaded off Constitution Avenue and had shut down the grounds.
The House went into recess just about the time the alert went out, while the Senate remained in session but went into a “quorum call,” which essentially halted business — though key staffers remained on the chamber floor.
[video=youtube;TR3LpriSmxM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR3LpriSmxM[/video]
