Shots fired on Capitol Hill, premises on lockdown
The United States Capitol and surrounding buildings are on lock down Thursday after multiple gun shots were fired on Capitol Hill.
Police in the area have advised House and Senate employees to seek shelter and move away from locked doors and windows.
Capitol Police cleared the plaza as soon as shots were fired, quickly moving dozens of members of Congress, reporters, aides and tourist into rooms.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) was on the balcony off of the speaker’s lobby when he heard what he said sounded like “fireworks,” he told reporters. Guards immediately told members on the balcony to step inside. Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.), who was also on the balcony, said he heard “five or six” gunshots. “Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!” Posey told POLITICO. “Then sirens went off, cops started going everywhere yelling ‘get inside, get inside!’ The front plaza outside the White House was closed. Six Secret Service cars with lights and sirens sped down 17th Street toward the White House, followed by another two with motorcycles.
Capitol Police announced a message declaring the emergency over the radio to all congressional offices and via email to congressional staff.
So far there is one injured Capitol Police officer.
