U.S. Capitol Police continue to investigate reports of an active shooter near the nation’s Capitol on Wednesday, but as of late afternoon, there is no confirmation of any shooter, according to authorities.
News 9 and News On 6’s Washington Bureau Chief Alex Cameron talked with Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger who confirmed the latest.
Most important, the all-clear was given at about 4:18 p.m. Washington, D.C., time.
Manger said the original 911 call indicated that there was an active shooter in the Hart Senate office building, which happens to be the building that houses both of Oklahoma’s Senators, James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin.
As of 3 p.m., in a tweet, the Capitol Police noted that there were no confirmed reports of weapons or gunshots. Manger confirmed that information to Alex.
Inside the Russell Senate Office Building, officers evacuated the hallways and shouted at people to run outside and away from the building. Outside, tourists watched as dozens of police cars surrounded the area.
Staff and journalists working in the building received an email instructing them to take shelter in a locked room, remain quiet and silence all electronics.
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate are currently on recess and the office buildings are generally less crowded than usual.