WASHINGTON – A lockdown of the U.S. Capitol was much more dramatic than police initially reported, with one suspect firing on police.
Three men were arrested after a car chase, after one suspect fired what Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier described as a "mini-machine gun" capable of holding up to 30 rounds.
Lanier said police were called to 4th Street and P Street after reports of a man with a gun, and when they arrived, three men fled in a car and were pursued by officers.
The chief said police chased the suspects into a tunnel under the Frances Perkins Building, about two blocks from the Capitol.
She said one suspect leaned out of the car and fired at least one round at officers as the car entered the tunnel.
The weapon and ammunition were thrown from the car in the tunnel.
Lanier said the car came to a stop when it hit a wall in the tunnel, and two men were arrested.
A third man fled the scene but was caught and arrested.
There were no injuries.
The following images of the incident were posted to Twitter:
Early reports attributed to the police said no shots were fired and did not mention a car chase.
U.S. Capitol Police ordered the lockdown as the chase got underway at 4:20 p.m. Eastern. No one was allowed to enter or exit buildings and people were told to take cover and head to assigned shelter locations. The lockdown ended at 4:45 p.m.
The House and Senate continued to conduct business and stayed in session.
Tuesday afternoon marked the second time the U.S. Capitol was put on lockdown in less than a week.
The Ford House Office Building was evacuated briefly Tuesday morning due to a suspicious package, but that turned out to be nothing dangerous.
The U.S. Capitol and visitor center were also on lockdown for an hour on Friday after a report of someone with a firearm, but that also turned out not to be a threat.
The nation's capital is under additional police security since five Dallas police officers were shot and killed on Thursday, with nine more wounded.
When the lockdown began a police order advised staffers and visitors on Capitol Hill:
- Close, lock and stay away from external doors and windows
- Take annunciators, emergency kits and escape hoods; move to your office's assigned shelter in place location or the innermost part of the office away from external doors or windows until USCP has cleared the incident
- If you are not near your office, take shelter in the office nearest to you and then check in with your OEC
- Silence mobile phones
- The buildings are locked down. No one will be permitted to enter or exit until directed by the USCP
- Further information will be provided as it becomes available