U.S. Capitol Police are investigating "the sound of gunfire" in the garage of the Rayburn Congressional office building across from the Capitol, Capitol Police told news agencies Friday.
An Democratic aide tells RAW STORY he say police running down the hall, seeming somewhat frantic, shouting "get out of the way, get out of the way."
An email sent to Congressional staff told staffers to get into "interior" offices and to "stay away from the windows."
Aides say they have been told to stay in place. Capitol police are going room to room in the Capitol investigating the report. Doors have been sealed but not locked. A House intelligence committee hearing sealed doors.
Reporters have been locked in the basement cafeteria, a Fox News correspondent says. The correspondent said that Capitol police shouted at those present not to leave the room.
DEVELOPING...
Well, gee...I bet this has nothing to do with Hayden being confirmed by the Senate not too long ago. Eh, who knows. I'll post more news as it comes.
[Update] From Breitbart.com:
Capitol police were investigating "the sound of gunfire in the garage level of the Rayburn House Office Building," said an announcement on the internal Capitol voice alarm system.
The Senate was in session at the time, but the House was not.
Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., conducting a House Intelligence Committee hearing, interrupted a witness to request those attending the meeting to remain in the room and said the doors must be closed.
"It's a little unsettling to get a Blackberry message put in front of you that says there's gunfire in the building," he said.
There was no confirmation of gunfire.
Shortly after police sealed off the Capitol, four ambulances arrived at the garage entrance to the Rayburn House Office building and police expanded the area being sealed off.
"They said they heard gunfire in the Rayburn garage but this is a huge building, I'm guessing it's a car backfiring or balloons popping," said Gene Smith, chief of staff to Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif., who has an office in Rayburn.
U.S. Capitol Police Department's Containment & Emergency Response Team maintains an indoor shooting range in the basement of the Rayburn building, according to the department's Web site.
Jeff Connor, a spokesman for Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., said Capitol Hill police notified the office that gunfire was heard in the Rayburn building garage.
"They specifically said there was the sound of gunfire on one of the garage levels of the Rayburn House office building and asked staff to remain in their offices," Connor said.
While the House was adjourned for the Memorial Day weekend, at least one committee was meeting.
At the same time, Capitol police went room to room in at least parts of the Capitol advising staff to stay in their offices, according one House aide whose office was advised.
"They want us to stay in our offices and I'm perfectly happy to do that but I don't feel endangered,"
Many members of the House were back home in their districts for the Memorial Day recess. House Speaker Dennis Hastert was home in Illinois when the incident began, an aide in his office said.
Incidents of violence inside the Capitol and its office buildings are rare.
Listening to CNN right now, too. Guy on there says Capitol Police don't seem overly concerned right now, so it's either nothing to worry over, or WTF Capitol Police??
From The Raw Story:
This is a message from the U.S. Capitol Police 1. If you are in the Rayburn HOB then Shelter in Place. Quickly move into the nearest interior office space or interior hallway and away from windows. The Capitol Police are investigating reports of gunfire in the Rayburn HOB. 2. If nearby, grab Go-Kits and personal belongings. 3. Close doors behind you, but do not lock. 4. Remain calm. 5. Await further instructions. Do not leave the building.
Tags: [sound of gunfire at congressional office building], [Rayburn Congressional Office Building]
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