U.S. Capitol on Lockdown over Reports of Suicide (UPDATED)
The U.S. Capitol is currently on lockdown as police are responding to what’s reported to be a man committing suicide by shooting himself:
ALERT: The U.S. Capitol is on lockdown due to police activity, according to Dianez Smith, a building service coordinator.
— WTOP (@WTOP) April 11, 2015
#BREAKING #WTOP has confirmed that the U.S. Capitol is on lockdown due to police activity. We have a reporter headed to the scene.
— Mike Murillo (@MikeMurilloWTOP) April 11, 2015
DC alert out on suicide investigation near Capitol – area on lockdown. #BreakingNews
— Kip Talley (@IPCPR_KipTalley) April 11, 2015
Police swarm U.S. Capitol after reports of a shooting pic.twitter.com/sFAXipLuJF
— robert lopez (@LAJourno) April 11, 2015
BREAKING: Someone just shot themself on the steps of the US Capitol during the height of Cherry Blossom festival. Capitol is on lockdown.
— Tom Risen (@TomRisen) April 11, 2015
#Breaking: US Capitol Police confirm the U.S. Capitol Building is on lock down. Will not confirm why. Stay with us for more.
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5newsdc) April 11, 2015
Other people posted photos from the scene:
Right now at Capitol Hill shooting site pic.twitter.com/VlvFW0qycY
— Amberjade Mwekali (@AMwekali) April 11, 2015
U.S. Capitol right now pic.twitter.com/oOd5qPsxx2
— Sarah Parnass (@WordsOfSarah) April 11, 2015
Bigger response than usual for a suspicious package at the #Capitol this afternoon pic.twitter.com/8HMUMeun0q
— Greg Brooks (@GregBrooksOH) April 11, 2015
More photos from #uscapitol #capitol on the north west lawn pic.twitter.com/CgB3iKWOYC
— Greg Brooks (@GregBrooksOH) April 11, 2015
This unidentified individual reportedly shot himself on the west steps of the Capitol and there are also unconfirmed reports there was a suspicious package nearby.
The individuals below posted on Twitter they witnessed the shooting happen:
Just witnessed someone shoot themselves at the U.S. Capitol.. Whole place is on lockdown
— David Ingham (@dodobird96) April 11, 2015
Just ran from the capital building after a protester shot himself right next to us..
— Madi Patten (@madi_patten44) April 11, 2015
Update- 2:03 pm EST: This is what the Capitol Police are now saying:
Capitol Police: "Shots have been fired on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building. The suspected shooter has been neutralized."
— Todd Zwillich (@toddzwillich) April 11, 2015
Streets around the Capitol complex closed, suspicious package investigation underway related to shooting, per Capitol police.
— Todd Zwillich (@toddzwillich) April 11, 2015
Update- 2:13 pm EST: A Hill staffer posted this email he got about the incident:
Shelter in place at the #USCapitol. pic.twitter.com/oOKjvKehDa
— Terry Camp (@terrycamp12) April 11, 2015
Update- 3:13 pm EST: You can watch CNN’s report here:
Update- 4:57 pm EST: The lockdown was lifted at around 3:50 pm. Authorities confirmed an individual died of a self-inflicted gunshot.
[image via Shuttertock]
— —
