A shooting has been reported inside or around the Capitol Visitor Center. People inside, including workers and the press, have been asked to shelter in place by the PA system.
BREAKING: Gunshots reported in U.S. Capitol visitors center, workers in Capitol told to "shelter in place": Senate sources
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 28, 2016
According to the Daily Beast, staffers at the Capitol Center received this email shortly before 3:00 p.m. ET saying that no one can exit or enter any Capitol buildings and if you are outside to seek cover immediately.
https://twitter.com/BenjySarlin/status/714525483795406848
US Capitol police are already on the scene and backup can be heard from miles away.
Can hear tons of sirens even a mile away from the Capitol. https://t.co/gIQETVWlia
— Clarence (@clarencelee) March 28, 2016
The Associated Press has also announced that the White House and Congress are under lockdown.
Update–3:02 PM: Reuters says that they have captured the gunman and that one policeman has been shot. Thankfully it seems as though the policeman isn’t seriously hurt.
BREAKING: Gunman in Capitol complex captured; one police officer shot: source
— Reuters U.S. News (@ReutersUS) March 28, 2016
MORE: Police officer wound not serious: source
— Reuters U.S. News (@ReutersUS) March 28, 2016
Interestingly enough, the Capitol Visitor Center was constructed after an earlier shooting in 1998 when Russell Eugene Weston, Jr simply entered the Capitol and opened fire, killing two police officers. The room now exists to create a barricade between the public and the inside of the Capitol itself.
BREAKING: White House, U.S. Capitol on lockdown following reports of shots fired. Here's @BrookeBCNN https://t.co/F9aGrDhaVW
— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) March 28, 2016
