The US Capitol Police have closed down and evacuated the Russell Senate Office Building after receiving information of a possible active shooter.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, at 2:30 p.m., the agency got a 9-1-1 call reporting a shooting at the Capitol.
Also Read: Who is Jordan Steinke? Colorado police officer found guilty of misdemeanors
According to MPD Officer Hugh Carew, “a call for an active shooter came in. It appears to be a horrible decision. There were no injuries, and no shooter was found.” MPD, he said, is aiding Capitol Police.
The United States Capitol Police tweeted shortly before 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday that its officers were searching in and around a Senate office building in response to “a concerning 911 call.”
“Please avoid the area while we conduct further investigation. We will continue to communicate with the public through this channel,” the agency tweeted.
The Capitol Police encouraged everyone inside the Russell Senate Office Building and adjacent Senate offices to remain inside as they investigated “a concerning 911 call.”
Also Read: Was Alicia Navarro kidnapped? Police arrest man in Montana in connection with her disappearance
“Please avoid the area while we conduct further investigation,” Capitol Police said in a statement. “If you are inside the Senate Buildings, everyone should be sheltering in place because there was a report of an active shooter.” It should be noted that there have been no confirmed reports of gunshots.
Senate personnel and media working in the Russell Senate Office building received an internal security alert advising them to move inside their offices, bring emergency equipment and guests and ‘shut, lock and stay away from external doors and windows’. The notice warned people to remain silent and turn off all electronics.
Jim Cunningham, an energy consultant, told USA TODAY that he was entering the Russell Senate Building to meet with the staff of New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand when he heard a loud boom and looked behind him.”There were about 20 cops running down behind us with their guns drawn.”