The U.S. Capitol Police on Wednesday responded to a possible active shooter report in one of the Senate office buildings in Washington, D.C.
Capitol Police said in a social media post at 1:45 p.m. CT that officers were searching “in and around the Senate Office Buildings” due to a “concerning 911 call.”
In a post shortly thereafter, police made clear that the threat was a potential active shooter.
The second post warned, “If you are inside the Senate Buildings, everyone inside should be sheltering in place as the report was for a possible active shooter. It should be noted that we do not have any confirmed reports of gunshots.”
An internal security threat email was also sent to all Senate staffers, the Washington Examiner reported.
The Metropolitan Police Department for the District of Columbia told the Washington Examiner: “A call came in for an active shooter. It appears to be a bad call. No injuries and no shooter were located. MPD is assisting U.S. Capitol Police.”
The investigation shut down Constitution Avenue Northeast between 3rd Street and Delaware Avenue Northeast in both directions around 2:45 p.m. ET, a Washington TV station reported.
After a couple of hours of investigating, Capitol Police wrote on social media at 3:04 p.m. that the 911 call was a false alarm.
“All buildings have been cleared at this time,” the post said. “The buildings have not been reopened.”
A few minutes later, another post explained: “USCP is standing by to prepare the Senate office buildings for re-entry. There is no active threat at this time.”
No one was injured.
The chaotic scene comes one day before former President Donald Trump is expected in Washington for an arraignment. Police will be providing extra security before, during, and after his appearance.
Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies conducted a walkthrough of the courthouse, a Washington TV station reported.
Trump is expected to appear in person before Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya.
