US Capitol under lockdown Gunshots reported at Visitor Center …suspected gunman shot by capitol police
…’alleged gunman, Larry Russel Dawson, 67, shot, in custody of capitol police’
Supect had history of being a public nuisance; previous altercations with capitol police
Under court orders to stay away from capitol after interrupting house proceedings last year
A lockdown of Capitol Hill was lifted Monday afternoon after reports of shots fired at the U.S. Capitol closed the multi-building complex just before 3 p.m.
The Capitol Police announced the Capitol was again open for official business, though the Capitol Visiter Center remained closed as of 4 p.m.
A House alert email to Capitol Hill staffers after 3:30 p.m. informed them the House, Senate and Library of Congress buildings had been returned to normal operation, but noted, “The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center will remain closed until further notice.”
The Senate sergeant at arms issued a statement Monday afternoon as the reports began streaming in: “Shooter has been caught. One police officer shot, but not seriously. Remain sheltered in place.”
However, some news networks have reported no officers were shot during the encounter:
An Instagram video by user Sammy Sanchez appears to show people being ushered out of the Capitol Visitor Center after the incident:
Tourists in the Capitol who didn’t hear the shots quickly learned something was wrong when security officials told them to shelter in place. In the crypt, people moved to the sides of the room so officers could move through the center
“They were very calm, they were very helpful,” Baker said of Capitol Police. She said she didn’t hear any shots.
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