U.S. Capital Building Under Lockdown

[Feralpeg]

The local news said that the capital building is under lockdown. They are reporting gunshots at the Rayburn House building.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

From CNN.com

Capitol complex locked down after reports of gunfire

Friday, May 26, 2006; Posted: 10:58 a.m. EDT (14:58 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Capitol Police said Friday they were investigating reports of shots fired in the garage of the Rayburn Office Building, where members of the House have their offices.

The entire Capitol complex has been locked down, CNN's Dana Bash reported.

Tunnels connect all of the buildings in the complex.

Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Michigan, was conducting a House Intelligence Committee hearing at the time, according to an Associated Press report. Hoekstra interrupted a witness to tell those at the hearing to remain in the room and said doors must be closed.

"It's a little unsettling to get a Blackberry message put in front of you that says there's gunfire in the building," he told AP.

 

[Puffy2]

So, does anyone know where Dick Cheany is?

 

[LoraJ]

Scary, turning on CNN now.

 

[Christine]

Hmmmm...I was just walking back from Subway (somewhat near the Capitol) and was wondering why all the sirens.

 

[phorsenuf]

I have ABC on and they haven't said anything. Usually they'll break into programming if the VP has a hangnail.....

 

[JPN4265]

So, does anyone know where Dick Cheany is?

Angry husband/father looking for Bill Clinton.

 

[tinatark]

So, does anyone know where Dick Cheany is?

Gunshots in a parking garage of a VIP office building a joke to you?

Maybe you should start a thread - Jokes about Capitol Building Lockdown/Shots fired... for comments like yours and the added comment from JPN4265.

Major holiday weekend = many tourists in our Nation's Capital.

 

[Christine]

Well, another wave of "responders" just went down the street sirens blaring.

Gee, I was hoping to leave today at noon, I hope they don't shut down my way out. I know, it's all about ME!!!

 

[lbgraves]

I hope that noone has been hurt. We were up there over spring break for a week.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Capitol is opened again.

Updated from CNN.com

U.S. Capitol Police are investigating reports of possible sounds of gunfire in the parking garage of the Rayburn Office Building, where members of the House have their offices. Shots reportedly were heard by a single staff person, CNN Producer Ted Barrett reports. The Capitol has been reopened, but the House office building remains sealed. There has been no confirmation that the sounds heard were actually gunfire.



Friday, May 26, 2006; Posted: 11:29 a.m. EDT (15:29 GMT)


The Capitol complex was locked down on Friday following reports of the sound of gunfire.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Capitol Police said Friday they were investigating reports of sounds of gunfire in the garage of the Rayburn Office Building, where members of the House have their offices.

"They have no victims at this time, and they have no active shooter," said Mike Brooks, a law enforcement expert.

He noted that Capitol Police have a firing range in the basement, but a congressional source said the shots were not heard from that level.

Business continued as usual on the Senate side, CNN's Dana Bash said.

The Containment and Emergency Response Team was searching the area, Brooks said.

CNN's Kelli Arena reported that heavily armed officers were headed to the area.

The alert came moments after a press conference held by Rep. John Sensenbrenner on immigration reform, CNN producer Deidre Walsh said.

"We saw several Capitol Hill police officers running quickly down the hallway," she said. Soon after that an announcement was made throughout the building.

Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Michigan, was conducting a House Intelligence Committee hearing at the time.

Hoekstra interrupted a witness to tell those at the hearing to remain in the room and said doors must be closed.

"It's a little unsettling to get a Blackberry message put in front of you that says there's gunfire in the building," he said.

"They said they heard gunfire in the Rayburn garage, but this is a huge building, I'm guessing it's a car backfiring or balloons popping," Gene Smith, chief of staff to Rep. Howard Berman, D-California, told The Associated Press. Berman has an office in Rayburn.

 

[J/T Gramdma]

They have reported only one shot heard and are in the process of chrcking it ou t the Capitol will be opened and only the Rayburn bldg will continue on lockdown.

 

[Poohgirl]

Don't assume the worst....

"They said they heard gunfire in the Rayburn garage, but this is a huge building, I'm guessing it's a car backfiring or balloons popping," Gene Smith, chief of staff to Rep. Howard Berman, D-California, told The Associated Press. Berman has an office in Rayburn.

 

[J/T Gramdma]

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