US Capitol: Gunman captured, bystander wounded in “isolated incident” after reports of shooting at Capitol building in Washington DC
A police officer shot and captured a man with a weapon at the US Capitol building in Washington DC, but no officers were wounded the police have said, contrary to earlier reports.
Police have clarified that the suspect who brought the weapon to the visitors centre is undergoing surgery after sustaining an injury in the confrontation with police, while a female bystander who was injured has also been taken to hospital. It was previously reported that an officer was wounded in the incident.
Capitol police added that the suspect is known to officers. ABC reported the Capitol suspect is believed to be a Tennessee man who was arrested after interrupting a US House session last October.
Washington DC police earlier described the shots, which were heard in the visitors centre at around 2.45pm East Coast time (7.45pm GMT), as an "isolated incident" that posed "no active threat to national security".
Police urged people outside of the complex to "take cover" soon after the shots were heard and the Capitol building was placed on lockdown, which has since been lifted.
Twitter user @Emma_Dumain, who appeared in the visitors centre at the time of the shooting tweeted a "[s]helter" was in place.
Gunshots reported in the Capitol Visitors Center, we hear over the loudspeaker. Shelter in place, we're told.
— Emma Dumain (@Emma_Dumain) March 28, 2016
The Capitol visitors centre is connected to the US Capitol building, also known as Capitol Hill, which houses the United States Congress, including the Senate and House of Representatives.
The visitors centre is located underneath the Capitol and includes exhibits, resources for school parties and conducts tours of the Congressional building. It is located below the East Front of the Capitol and its plaza, between the Capitol building and 1st Street East, in central Washington DC.