False Report of Active Shooter Causes Panic at Senate Buildings in Washington
WASHINGTON – The Capitol Police swarmed Senate buildings on Wednesday afternoon after receiving a report about a possible active shooter. People inside the buildings were advised to shelter in place until the situation could be investigated. However, it was later determined that there was no shooter and the report was false.
“There is no active shooter and there are no injuries,” said Hugh Carew, spokesperson for the Washington Metropolitan Police Department.
The Capitol Police issued a statement at 2:45 p.m. ET, urging everyone inside the Russell Senate Office Building and other Senate offices to stay inside as they investigated the buildings in response to a concerning 911 call.
“Please stay away from the area as we are still investigating,” the Capitol Police statement read. “If you are inside the Senate Buildings, everyone inside should be sheltering in place as the report was for a possible active shooter.”
However, it was later revealed that the reports came from a “bad call” made to the Washington police at around 2:30 p.m. ET, alerting them to a suspected shooter at the Hart Senate Office Building. Additional 911 calls from Senate staffers who had heard about an active shooter further fueled the panic, which police believe was likely the result of rumors spreading from the original phone call.
Approximately 200 police officers conducted a thorough search of the Senate office buildings, going floor to floor. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger stated that the individual who made the false 911 call had instructed authorities to look for a suspect wearing body armor. However, no such person was found.
“We found nothing concerning,” Manger said. “We’ve got nobody that actually heard shots and certainly no victims.”
All three Senate office buildings were cleared shortly before 4:15 p.m. ET, about an hour and 30 minutes after the shelter-in-place order was issued.
Before the 911 call was determined to be a false alarm, Senate staff members and media working at the Senate office buildings received an internal security alert instructing them to move inside their offices, take emergency equipment and visitors, and to close, lock, and stay away from external doors and windows. The alert also advised them to remain quiet and silence their electronics.
The false alarm caused panic among those present at the Senate buildings. Jim Cunningham, an energy consultant, recounted his experience, stating that he was entering the Russell Senate Building to meet with New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s staff when he heard a loud noise and turned around. “There were about 20 police with guns drawn and running down behind us,” he said.
Each entrance at the three Senate buildings is manned by police officers who conduct security screenings. Capitol Police Chief Manger stated that it would have been unusual for anyone to be able to enter the buildings without being detected. However, officers had to work under the assumption that a suspect could have entered. “We had no indication from all the entry points that we staff that anybody came in,” Manger added.
The false report of an active shooter caused a significant disruption and fear among those present at the Senate buildings. The incident highlights the importance of thorough investigations and accurate information before issuing alerts and causing panic.
How will law enforcement identify and hold accountable the individual responsible for making the false 911 call?
L will be identified and held accountable for their actions.
The false report of an active shooter caused panic and fear among those inside the Senate buildings. People were advised to shelter in place and stay away from the area until the situation could be investigated. The Capitol Police issued a statement urging everyone inside the Russell Senate Office Building and other Senate offices to remain inside as they conducted their search.
Fortunately, it was determined that there was no actual shooter and no injuries occurred. The reports of an active shooter originated from a “bad call” made to the Washington police, which led to additional panic as rumors spread among Senate staff members. Police believe that the false report was the result of these rumors.
Around 200 police officers conducted a thorough search of the Senate office buildings, ensuring the safety of everyone inside. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger stated that the individual responsible for making the false 911 call will be identified and face consequences for their actions.
While this incident turned out to be a false alarm, it highlights the need for vigilance and prompt response in such situations. Authorities and staff members acted quickly to ensure the safety of everyone involved and swiftly determined that there was no credible threat. Nevertheless, the incident caused unnecessary panic and disruption. Steps will be taken to prevent similar false reports in the future and to provide reassurance to those working in the Senate buildings.
Overall, this false report of an active shooter serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate information, calmness in the face of uncertainty, and the diligent work of law enforcement in protecting the public’s safety.
It is reassuring to see the Capitol Police promptly responding to reports of an active shooter, even if it turned out to be a false alarm. Their swift action highlights their commitment to ensure the safety of Senate buildings and the people inside them.
It’s a relief to know that the active shooter report at the Senate Buildings turned out to be a false alarm. The swift response by the Capitol Police is a testament to their commitment to ensuring the safety of our elected officials and staff. However, incidents like these serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining effective communication channels to prevent unnecessary panic and anxiety.