Washington, D.C., authorities issued a “shelter-in-place” alert following an apparent shooting incident on Capitol Hill.
The shooting reportedly took place in the Capitol Visitors Center. According to initial reports, a single male gunman has been arrested.
Police identified the suspected gunman as Larry Dawson of Antioch, Tennessee. He has reportedly been charged with unlawful misconduct and assault on an officer.
USCP charge Larry Dawson with Unlawful Conduct & Assault on a Police Officer after disruption in House chamber earlier today.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 22, 2015
“During routine administrative screening the individual drew what appeared to be a weapon and pointed it at officers. The officer fired and struck the suspect who was subsequently treated by medical personnel,” said Matthew Verderosa, chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, during a press conference Monday afternoon. “The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for treatment. The suspect is currently undergoing surgery and condition is unknown at this time.”
Dawson was banned from the Capitol in October after he yelled the he was a “prophet of God” from the balcony of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Contrary to early reports, no officers were shot during the incident, reports CNN, although a female bystander was injured by shrapnel.
A Capitol Police spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement on Twitter, the Senate Sergeant at Arms directed lawmakers and Capitol Hill staff to remain in their designated safe zones.
Shelter in place remains in effect as Capitol Police continue to investigate. Please stay in your assigned location. #alert
— SenateSergeantAtArms (@SenateSAA) March 28, 2016
Both the White House and the U.S. Congress were placed on lockdown. The shelter in place at the U.S. Capitol has since been lifted, though Capitol Visitors Center remains closed.
Guy with a loaded shotgun directing WH Easter Egg visitors where to go pic.twitter.com/hxzVqXX0y4
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 28, 2016
Like an exodus. Tourists being allowed to leave Capitol complex after shooting pic.twitter.com/XJwZfnHL3F
— Scott Wong (@scottwongDC) March 28, 2016
According to CNN, another individual attempted to gain unauthorized entry into the White House; however, there is no reported connection to the Capitol Hill shooting at this time. That suspect is also in custody.
Breaking into @CNN: White House on lockdown after individual tried to gain entry into the building; suspect is in custody.
— Elizabeth Landers (@ElizLanders) March 28, 2016
The Capitol Visitors Center, where the shooting reportedly took place, was built in 1998 specifically to protect against attacks. The plan for a secured arose after an attempted attack on then-Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas) in which an officer was killed.
Update 2:23pm CT, March 28: A second individual has been apprehended for attempting to gain access to the White House.
Update 2:34pm CT, March 28: Authorities are giving conflicting reports about whether an officer has been shot.
Update 2:55pm CT, March 28: The U.S. Capitol lockdown has been lifted.
Update 3:13pm CT, March 28: The suspected shooter is male. Earlier official claims of an officer suffering a gunshot wound were inaccurate. A female bystander was injured.
Update 4:04pm CT, March 28: Police have identified the suspected gunman as Larry Dawson of Tennessee. Dawson is said to have frequently visited the Capitol and was previously court-ordered to stay away after an October incident.
This story is developing and will be updated with information as it becomes available.
Photo via Matt Popovich/Flickr (PD)