Suspicious package found on west side of U.S. Capitol
Shots were fired today in the vicinity of the U.S. Capitol building. The suspect has been “neutralized,” and is reported as dead by suicide. There is still a suspicious package being investigated on the West Terrace. The U.S. Capitol and Capitol Visitors Center are on lock down as a precaution.
The suspicious package is a suitcase that was next to the man who committed suicide, authorities are searching the man’s car. The man is a protester, holding a sign outside the Capitol and had a sign taped to his hand at the time of his death, ABC News reports. The sign allegedly said, “Tax the 1 percent.”
Capitol Police spokeswoman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said:
US Capitol Police are locking down the US Capitol Building and the Capitol Visitor Center due to a potential security threat. No one will be allowed to enter or exit the US Capitol Building and the Capitol Visitors Center.
Two shootings in one week. Welcome to America. #dc #capitolhill pic.twitter.com/9n14K0ru7w
— Amberjade Mwekali (@AMwekali) April 11, 2015
Check back here for updates here throughout the day.
Update:
The lock down was lifted as of 3:45 pm EST but several streets in the area continue to stay closed. Hazmat is still investigating the suspicious suitcase at the scene.
H/T: ABC News | Photo: Twitter
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