A gunman was today shot and subsequently captured after he drew his gun and attempted to shoot inside the US Capitol building’s visitor centre, officials said. The shooting occurred in the Visitors Center of the sprawling Capitol Complex in Washington DC. A police officer was shot by the man but he is not believed to be seriously injured.
Authorities haven’t revealed the identity of the gunman but said he didn’t access the building as his gun was detected by metal detectors as he tried to walk through the magnetometer with other visitors. He then tried to draw his weapon but the police was quick and shot him…
The gunman was taken to a hospital and in custody. US Congress is on recess for the Easter holiday, so many members of Congress and staff members were not in the builidng.
Many tourists are in Washington right now for the annual Cherry Blossom festival. After the incident, the building was put on lcokdown but has since been re-opened for official businesses only.
All tourists have been removed from the building but Police have called the incident an “isolated” incident, saying there is “no active threat” to the public.