News
Shooting Incident At U.S. Capitol
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
UPDATE 4:21 p.m. Police and witnesses say the gunfire outside the U.S. Capitol Thursday began when a woman tried to ram through a White House barricade with her car.
They say the woman then led police on a chase that ended outside the Capitol. Police say the woman was taken into custody, and a young child who was with her was taken to a hospital.
A police officer was injured when the car crashed outside the Capitol, but the injuries weren't life-threatening. Police say no officers were wounded by gunfire.
The entire Capitol complex was locked down for about an hour. Both houses of Congress went into recess.
Witnesses say at least 20 police cars were involved in chasing the Lexus toward Capitol Hill. One tourist says he walked toward the scene, curious about what was going on — but the he "heard the gunfire" and hit the ground.
UPDATE 3:16 p.m. A senator is describing the scene outside the U.S. Capitol as shots were fired this afternoon.
Democrat Bob Casey of Pennsylvania told reporters he was walking from the Capitol to the Senate Russell Office Building across the street when he noticed several police officers driving fast up Constitution Avenue on motorcycles.
Within seconds, he says, he heard "three, four, five pops," which he assumed were gunshots. He says police ordered him and nearby tourists to crouch behind a car for protection.
In about two minutes, he said, the officers moved everyone into the Capitol.
UPDATE 3:00 p.m. A police officer is reported hurt after gunfire Thursday at the U.S. Capitol building.
The Senate's Sergeant at Arms, Terrance Gainer, says, "There are reports of injuries." FBI agents headed to the scene.
The entire complex was put on lockdown.
As the warning was sounded, the House abruptly went into recess and lawmakers left the chamber floor. The House had just finished approving legislation aimed at partly lifting the government shutdown by paying National Guard and Reserve members.
Across the street, people standing outside the Supreme Court were hurried into the court building.
The White House was quickly locked down after the incident, and the stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the compound was closed to pedestrians.
The gunfire comes two weeks after a deadly shooting at the Navy Yard, near the Capitol.
Police say the U.S. Capitol has been put on a security lockdown amid reports of possible shots fired outside the building.
People standing outside the Supreme Court across the street from Congress were hurried into the court building by authorities.
In a notice distributed by email, the U.S. Capitol Police advised everyone to "close, lock and stay away from external doors and windows.The notice said gunshots have been reported on Capitol Hill. There are unconfirmed reports of an officer injured.