U.S. Capitol Police Chief Matthew Verderosa said the suspect entered the screening facility of the Capitol Visitor Center at roughly 2:39 p.m., drew what appeared to be a weapon and pointed it at police officers. At least one officer fired at the suspect and hit him.
A woman between the ages of 35 and 45 suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital, as was the suspect.
“There is no reason to believe this is anything more than a criminal act,” Verderosa said at a press conference following the incident Monday afternoon. Police at the time were not looking for any other suspects, he said, adding that normal business was expected to resume at the Capitol by Tuesday morning.
The lockdown of the Capitol grounds was lifted at roughly 3:40 p.m. Eastern time, roughly an hour after the incident began. An email circulated to Hill staff late Monday by the House and Senate sergeants-at-arms said to expect heightened security in the coming days, including the increased presence of K-9 teams and tactical units.
Verderosa would not confirm the identity of the suspected shooter, though he said Capitol Police knew of him before Monday’s incident. The suspect’s vehicle remained in the area immediately after the incident and police were waiting for a warrant to search it, Verderosa said.
Multiple news outlets identified the suspect as Larry Dawson of Tennessee, a man arrested previously in October after creating a disturbance by yelling in the main House of Representatives chamber. The Daily Beast published a video of the incident, after which Dawson reportedly was charged with unlawful misconduct and assaulting a police officer.
Dawson also reportedly had been issued a court order to stay away from the Capitol grounds.
No officers were injured in Monday’s incident, despite previous news reports that one had been shot. A congressional staffer had told U.S. News following the incident that one person was in custody and that one police officer was shot. The Associated Press also initially reported a Capitol Police officer had been shot but was not seriously wounded, and that a shooter was in custody.
Staffers were allowed to move around within the Capitol complex buildings during the lockdown, according to an email circulated to Hill staff, while those outside were told to seek shelter.
Congress is on recess this week, so there are few legislators on the Capitol campus and few events taking place. Tourist traffic was very heavy in and around downtown Washington, however, due to the Cherry Blossom Festival and other spring activities.
The Capitol and its surroundings have been the scene of violence in the past. In 2013, a woman was shot and killed after fleeing security officers at the White House and leading authorities on a chase to and around the area.
In July 1998, two U.S. Capitol Police officers – Special Agent John Gibson, 42, and Officer Jacob Chestnut, 58 – were killed after a mentally disturbed man, Russell Weston, opened fire inside the building. A 24-year-old woman also was injured.
Following Monday’s incident, Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department called it “isolated” and said there was no active threat to the public. Authorities plan to investigate further to confirm that just one officer fired at the suspect.
Article Appeared @http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-03-28/capitol-locked-down-after-reported-shooting?int=a14709