Updated 11:28 a.m.
According to the Associated Press:
Police have ended the lockdown at the U.S. Capitol building. It began when gunshots were fired outside the building today, reportedly injuring a police officer.
A law enforcement official says a shooting at the United States Capitol is related to a vehicle that tried to ram a security barricade at the White House.
The official says a driver tried to drive through a barricade that blocks the stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House to vehicles. The driver then proceeded down Pennsylvania Avenue to Capitol Hill, where shots were fired.
The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the incident by name and insisted on anonymity.
Update at 11:12 a.m.
Parts of the U.S. Capitol are on lockdown, after gun shots were reportedly heard.
All clear given a few minutes ago.
NPR’s David Welna reports he was escorted to House cloakroom with other reporters.
Welna spoke with Rep. Gerry Connolly, who told him that he was out on a balcony and heard multiple shots.
Connolly told him that he had been informed by Capitol Police that a single gunman had been apprehended, and that one Capitol Police officer was injured.
The Senate Sergeant at Arms, Terrance Grainer, says “there are reports of injuries.”
“Gunshots have been reported on Capitol Hill requiring all occupants in all House Office Buildings to shelter in place,” police said in a email to staffers. “Close, lock and stay away from external doors and windows.”
The Associated Press reports:
“As a 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.
People standing outside the Supreme Court across the street from Congress were hurried into the court building by authorities.
The White House was quickly locked down after the incident at Capitol Hill and the stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the compound was closed to pedestrians. Secret Service said the procedures were precautionary.”
Buzzfeed’s Capitol reporter Kate Nocera says that she was outside the building, when a police officer ordered her to into the building. She tweeted this picture:
Literally was dragged in by cop as he heard shots fired come over the radio. Now this: pic.twitter.com/K1AJwIEV6G
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi tweets:
All Members and staff, we are in temporary lockdown as Capitol police work quickly to secure the area. Please stay safe.
Update At 2:58 p.m. ET:
The New York Times reports that some members of Congress were told to get on the ground when the shots were fired:
“Capitol police could be seen with semi-automatic rifles drawn as they scrambled for position on the Capitol grounds.
“Several senators were outside the Capitol when they reported between four and six shots fired. Police in a high speed chase pulled over a black car in front of one of the Senate office buildings but witnesses said a man fled on foot with a gun visible.
“‘I heard a pop pop pop and we were told to get down,’ said Senator Bob Casey, Democrat of Pennsylvania.”
Read original article – Published October 03, 2013 2:30 PM
U.S. Capitol On Edge, After Reports Of Gunshots
