Police Give All-Clear at U.S. Capitol Complex After Report of Possible Active Shooter
WASHINGTON – After a brief period of panic and uncertainty, police have declared an all-clear at the U.S. Capitol complex on Wednesday. The report of a possible active shooter was deemed to be “bogus” after an extensive investigation, according to U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger.
The scare began when Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department received a call reporting a shooter. However, attempts to contact the initial caller were unsuccessful. Despite the lack of confirmation, police took swift action and mobilized approximately 200 officers to clear the three Senate office buildings on Constitution Avenue.
After approximately 90 minutes of thorough investigation, authorities allowed workers in the three Senate office buildings to return to work. Chief Manger stated, “I think at this point we can say we’ve found no confirmation of an active shooter and this may have been a bogus call.”
During the incident, police urged people inside the Senate office buildings to shelter in place. The Senate is currently in summer recess, and most lawmakers were not present in Washington. However, some congressional offices still have reduced staff on-site. Additionally, there are typically numerous workers staffing Senate cafeterias, coffee shops, and security posts, as well as tourists visiting the Capitol.
It is important to note that this incident occurred one day before former President Donald Trump is expected to appear in a federal courthouse just blocks away from the Capitol. Trump was recently indicted over attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to President Joe Biden. As a result, security around government buildings in the courthouse area is being strengthened ahead of Trump’s arrival.
“We’re prepared for tomorrow. We’ve been working with our partner agencies… in preparation for whenever the indictment did happen,” Chief Manger assured.
The swift response and thorough investigation by law enforcement demonstrate their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the U.S. Capitol and its surrounding areas. While this incident turned out to be a false alarm, it serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and prepared in such situations.
Reporting by Moira Warburton, Patricia Zengerle, Bite Singh, and Richard Cowan; Editing by Scott Malone and Doina Chiacu