This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/apr/11/capitol-locked-down-shots-fired-suspicious-package-investigated

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
US Capitol locked down after shots fired and suspicious package investigated US Capitol lockdown raised after man with protest sign shoots himself dead
(35 minutes later)
Police reported shots being fired on the west front of the Capitol in Washington on Saturday, and said the building was locked down as a precaution. A precautionary lockdown of the US Capitol was lifted after about two hours on Saturday, after a man carrying a protest sign shot himself dead.
Spokeswoman Kimberly Schneider of the Capitol police said in a statement that the suspected shooter had been “neutralized”, but there was no immediate explanation of what that meant. The man died after shooting himself on the west front of the Capitol building just after 1pm, Capitol police spokeswoman Kimberly Schneider said. No one else was hurt.
She also said the Capitol police were investigating a suspicious package on the lower west terrace of the building. Capitol police chief Kim Dine said the man had a backpack and a rolling suitcase, triggering an hours-long lockdown, and a sign that said something about “social justice”.
Later, Schneider said the lockdown had been lifted, after around two hours. Robert Bishop of Annapolis, Maryland said he was biking near the steps of the Capitol when the man shot himself.
Several media outlets including NBC and the Associated Press said the shooter, who was not identified as a man or a woman, had attempted to kill him or herself, and that he or she had left a suitcase that was being investigating by a bomb squad. No-one else was reported hurt. Bishop did not witness it but said there were about 60 people in the area, and that some did, including a girl and her mother who immediately began crying.
NBC, citing a federal official, said there were no indications the shooting was an act of terrorism. Bishop said another witness told him and a police officer that the man held up a protest sign about taxation just before pulling the trigger.
For two hours, no one was allowed to enter or exit the Capitol and the visitors centre and some streets around the complex were closed. No one was allowed to leave or enter the Capitol or the visitors’ centre during the lockdown on a busy day for tourists, and some streets around the area were closed.
The incident occurred on a Saturday and Congress is out of session. But the city was crowded with tourists in town for the popular annual Cherry Blossom festival. After being allowed to leave the Capitol, Bishop said he saw authorities taking clothes out of the suitcase.
Congress has been on spring break for two weeks; lawmakers are set to return to work Monday. During the lockdown, about a dozen police cars, black SUVs and an ambulance congregated at the bottom of the west steps of the Capitol, which overlooks the bustling National Mall.
Police appeared to take measurements as bomb squad members searched the area. Nearer the mall, visitors gathered, trying to figure out what was going on.
The lockdown came during Washington’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which attracts thousands of tourists.
Congress has been on spring recess for two weeks and lawmakers are set to return to work Monday.