U.S. Capitol Briefly Placed On Lockdown After Apparent Suicide
Members of law enforcement and emergency services gather and a perimeter created around the west front of the U.S. Capitol as the U.S. Capitol was on lockdown Saturday after an apparent suicide. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption
Members of law enforcement and emergency services gather and a perimeter created around the west front of the U.S. Capitol as the U.S. Capitol was on lockdown Saturday after an apparent suicide.
Carolyn Kaster/APA "precautionary lockdown" of the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Visitor Center has been lifted today after a shot was fired in an apparent suicide, according to police.
"The suspected shooter has been neutralized but the U.S. Capitol Building has been locked down as a precautionary measure," Capitol Police spokeswoman Kimberly Schneider said in a written statement after the shooting, which occurred around 1 p.m. EDT.
No one else is believed to have been hurt, The Associated Press says.
Police also investigated a suspicious package, but there was no indication that it was deemed dangerous.
The Capitol area was reopened just before 4 p.m.
The incident comes during Washington, D.C.'s annual Cherry Blossom Festival and as lawmakers are set to return Monday following a two-week recess.