Capitol Hill Security Scare Ends: The U.S. Capitol Police confirmed late Wednesday afternoon that a worrisome security scenario was over, relieving Capitol Hill. An active shooter report prompted Senate office building evacuations and lockdowns. The police chief concluded that “a bogus call” may have caused it.
By 4:30 p.m., everything had changed. Law enforcement confirmed there was no firearms in the Capitol complex. Investigators found no gunfire, injuries, or threats in the halls and rooms. This ended Washington’s two-hour-long anxieties.
2:30 p.m. 911 calls reported a Hart Building shooter. This triggered the alert. The Capitol Police worked hard on this report. Nearly 200 officers combed the enormous site for danger. D.C. police cooperated to aid the inquiry.
The initial call described a heavyset Hispanic man in body armor as the threat. However, no such person was found. In a press briefing, Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger claimed “this may have been a bogus call.”
Congress, the core of American democracy, was curiously quiet after the catastrophe. The risk spread, creating urgency. Staff members heard a security alert to hide and find protection even though Congress had left for a five-week recess.
Outside was as tense. When police gave urgent commands at Capitol Street, people fled. The visual story was dominated by armed Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department officers. This indicated the situation’s severity.
When Capitol Police with long rifles entered a Senate office building, folks on the lower floor fled in horror. Staff were led out with their hands up, which was unusual for those rooms. Safer employees observed from above.
In these trying times, remember that former President Donald Trump will soon be in town. Trump was indicted for his 2020 election and January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. A nearby federal courthouse was his venue. This elevated the day’s happenings.
Chief Manger said the Capitol Police and federal law enforcement agencies were especially cautious in case Mr. Trump’s visit created problems. He did declare that his planned visit would not prompt security barriers or lockdowns.
After the day ended, the Capitol and its residents felt safe again. The event sparked anxiety and briefly halted legislative work, but law enforcement’s quick response and the lack of an actual threat revealed that this famous emblem of American democracy is well-protected.
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Our Reader’s Queries
How much do Capitol Police get paid in 2023?
The typical yearly salary for a Capitol Police Officer in the US as of December 31, 2023 is $62,148. In simpler terms, that’s about $29.88 per hour, $1,195 per week, or $5,179 per month.
How much does the chief of the Capitol police make?
Top 5 High-Paying Capitol Police Jobs in Washington
– University Police Chief: $139,665/yr or $11,638/mo
– Chief Of Police: $136,655/yr or $11,387/mo
– Police Captain: $132,909/yr or $11,075/mo
– Chief Police: $128,738/yr or $10,728/mo
When was the last time our Capitol was attacked?
A violent mob stormed the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021. The attackers were supporters of Donald Trump, who had lost the 2020 presidential election two months prior.
Can you still go into the Capitol building?
The Capitol Visitor Center welcomes visitors for tours with reservations from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Inauguration Day.