The U.S Capitol was on lockdown after a D.C. gunman fired shots near the east side of the Visitors Center.
Authorities have notified media that the shooter who has been identified as Tennessee man Larry Dawson, has been captured.
Workers near the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center reported that they heard gunshots and were told to take shelter when the shooter, was at large, according to the Associated Press.
He was arrested in the House last year after an incident in which he yelled that he was a “prophet of God.”
“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 an afternoon press conference. “The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for treatment.”
Many early reports stated that an officer was shot and had non-life threatening wounds but as more details about the shooting came out, no officer was shot. Early reports were wrong.
After the latest advisory, many congressional staffers said the House, Senate and Library of Congress are now open once more for business and the U.S. Capitol is open as well.
The shots near the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center has forced the building to close today until more details about the shooter come out. The White House is in no imminent danger and is safe according to D.C. Police. In addition, DCPD said in a tweet that the public is safe and that the shooting was not an active threat:
There has been an isolated incident at the US Capitol. There is no active threat to the public
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) March 28, 2016
