

The official could not discuss an ongoing investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. A CNN employee tried to leave the building and couldn’t. It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone was injured. The US Capitol is on lockdown during a tense situation with demonstrators outside the building, according to Capitol police officers.

Capitol Police say all Capitol buildings were being locked down “due to an external security threat" and staff members were told they could not enter or exit the buildings.Ī law enforcement official says officers were responding to a report of a possible shooting on a street near the Capitol complex. One US Capitol Police officer has died and another is injured after a suspect rammed a vehicle into a police barricade outside the Capitol building Friday afternoon, the department’s. However, White House press secretary said she is not aware of the situation at Capitol yet. It comes as the Washington region remains on edge nearly three months after a mob of armed insurrectionists stormed the Capitol as Congress was voting to certify Joe Biden’s presidential win. NPR Deputy Washington Editor Krishnadev Calamur contributed to this report.Capitol Police say the incident happened at a checkpoint near the Capitol. The lockdown Wednesday started when local police received a call around 2:30 Wednesday afternoon warning of a heavyset Hispanic male wearing body armor inside the Hart Senate Office Building, one of three structures near the Capitol housing offices for senators and their staffs. Staffers, members of the press, and vehicles were not allowed past security checkpoints. Pittman noted that it has been an "extremely challenging year" but said the force's "security posture at this time remains the same." Capitol went on lockdown just before 9 a.m. NPR congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales reported of concern among lawmakers from both parties about the prospect of making the fencing permanent. The crash occurred at an access checkpoint to the Capitol.Ĭapitol Police have said that a reduced perimeter will stay up while it works with "congressional stakeholders and law enforcement partners to strengthen our security posture." Shortly after 1 p.m., Capitol Police sent an initial alert to congressional staffers, warning them of an 'external security threat.' Within about an hour and a half, police sent another alert. Temporary fencing erected around the Capitol's outer perimeter was removed late last month, though it remains in place closer to the building. on what had been a quiet, sunny Friday, with the police instructing staff to remain inside, away from doors and windows, and to seek cover if. Capitol Complex and a massive law enforcement response. The Capitol went into lockdown around 1 p.m. 6 riot, sparked a nearly two-hour lockdown of the U.S. The Capitol was on lockdown Credit: Fox 5. Friday’s ramming incident, coming nearly three months after the deadly Jan. 6 riot that exposed serious flaws in the Capitol's security apparatus. Capitol Police confirmed that there was an active bomb threat just after 10.30am local time on Thursday. and is actively monitoring the situation," Anthony Coley, a Justice Department spokesman, said on Twitter.įriday's attack comes less than three months after the Jan. Capitol Police posted on Twitter that they were responding to the. National Guard said it deployed a quick-reaction force, including National Guard soldiers and airmen, to the Capitol complex to support Capitol Police.Īttorney General Merrick Garland "has been briefed on the incident. Capitol Police officer was killed and another was injured when a man rammed a car into a barricade at the Capitol Friday afternoon. Capitol was put on lockdown, with people advised to seek shelter, amid Initial reports of shooting outside the building. Capitol" and is providing support to Capitol Police. The FBI's Washington Field Office said it had "responded to an incident at the U.S.
