Gunfire False Alarm Closes Capitol
Congressman Reports Gunfire Near Capitol, but It Turns Out to Be False Alarm
Capitol Police officer Joseph Spadaro
stands guard near the Rayburn House
Office building, center background,
on Capitol Hill, Friday, May 26, 2006
after reports of gunfire.
(AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
ABC News
By LIZ SIDOTI
WASHINGTON May 27, 2006 (AP)— Heavily armed Capitol police swarmed through a House office building and briefly closed the Capitol on Friday after a congressman thought he heard gunfire and triggered what turned out to be a frightening false alarm.
Authorities reported no arrests, gunfire or even injuries after a methodical three-hour search that stranded lawmakers and aides alike in their offices though one aide was so rattled by the sight of police tactical teams that she was taken to a nearby hospital.
Through the day, officers with rifles stood by outside, and ambulances arrived after the phoned-in report of gunfire in the garage of the Rayburn House Office Building.
The report originated with Rep. Jim Saxton, R-N.J., his press secretary said. Saxton heard what he thought were gunshots and had a member of his staff call Capitol Police, said spokesman Greg Keeley.
"I heard what I thought to be between six and ten shots. It sounded exactly like gunfire to me," Saxton told Fox News Channel after the search was concluded and the huge office building was reopened.
Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said officers were looking at a "plausible explanation" that the day's events resulted from noise made by construction workers in the Rayburn garage. "In doing their routine duties, they made some sort of a noise that sounded like shots fired. So it was a valid call," she said.
On high alert, police lined the street between the Capitol and the Rayburn building, rifles prominently displayed, and four ambulances, two fire trucks and other emergency vehicles were on the scene. Police methodically searched the sprawling building, where congressional staff members had locked themselves into their offices as a precaution.
Before the all-clear, Schneider said, "Lives could be at risk. If we have a gunman in the building we certainly want to find him. It's premature to assume that it may not be a gunman."
The Senate was in session at the time, but the House was not as most lawmakers had left for the Memorial Day recess. Continued
Capitol Police officer Joseph Spadaro
stands guard near the Rayburn House
Office building, center background,
on Capitol Hill, Friday, May 26, 2006
after reports of gunfire.
(AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
ABC News
By LIZ SIDOTI
WASHINGTON May 27, 2006 (AP)— Heavily armed Capitol police swarmed through a House office building and briefly closed the Capitol on Friday after a congressman thought he heard gunfire and triggered what turned out to be a frightening false alarm.
Authorities reported no arrests, gunfire or even injuries after a methodical three-hour search that stranded lawmakers and aides alike in their offices though one aide was so rattled by the sight of police tactical teams that she was taken to a nearby hospital.
Through the day, officers with rifles stood by outside, and ambulances arrived after the phoned-in report of gunfire in the garage of the Rayburn House Office Building.
The report originated with Rep. Jim Saxton, R-N.J., his press secretary said. Saxton heard what he thought were gunshots and had a member of his staff call Capitol Police, said spokesman Greg Keeley.
"I heard what I thought to be between six and ten shots. It sounded exactly like gunfire to me," Saxton told Fox News Channel after the search was concluded and the huge office building was reopened.
Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said officers were looking at a "plausible explanation" that the day's events resulted from noise made by construction workers in the Rayburn garage. "In doing their routine duties, they made some sort of a noise that sounded like shots fired. So it was a valid call," she said.
On high alert, police lined the street between the Capitol and the Rayburn building, rifles prominently displayed, and four ambulances, two fire trucks and other emergency vehicles were on the scene. Police methodically searched the sprawling building, where congressional staff members had locked themselves into their offices as a precaution.
Before the all-clear, Schneider said, "Lives could be at risk. If we have a gunman in the building we certainly want to find him. It's premature to assume that it may not be a gunman."
The Senate was in session at the time, but the House was not as most lawmakers had left for the Memorial Day recess. Continued
posted by HRM Deborah of Israel and the Messenger of Peace at 5:52 PM
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