US Capitol Police officers searched the Senate office buildings after receiving what they described as a “troubling 911 call” on Wednesday. Telemundo 44 cameras captured people leaving with their hands up.
People in the buildings were advised to shelter in place as of 2:45 p.m. after someone reported a possible active shooter, but there was no sign of a shooting, according to police. A floor-by-floor search turned up nothing, while no injuries were reported.
“We found nothing worrisome. We don’t have anyone who actually heard gunshots and certainly no casualties,” Capitol Hill Police Chief Tom Manger told reporters.
“We did not find any confirmation that there was an active shooter. This may have been a fake call.”
The complaint comes amid heightened security in parts of DC ahead of former President Trump’s expected court appearance on Thursday.
The initial call reported an active shooter at the Hart Senate Office Building, Manger said. Officers were able to respond in seconds.
On a dispatch call, a 911 operator could be heard telling a fleet of emergency crews to respond.
Inside the Russell Senate Office Building, officers evacuated hallways and yelled at people to run and get away from the building. Outside, tourists watched as dozens of police cars surrounded the area.
Staff and journalists working in the building received an email instructing them to take refuge in a locked room, remain quiet, and silence all electronic devices.
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate are currently in recess and office buildings are generally less crowded than usual.
Police had cleared the three Senate office buildings around 4 p.m.
“A call came in for an active shooter. It seems to be a bad decision. No injuries or shooters were located,” a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department said in a brief statement. DC Police are assisting Capitol Police in the investigation.
DC police tried to contact the 911 caller again, Manger said.
“The original call to MPD, the call is just retrieved. They have tried it a couple of times and it comes back to a different place each time,” she concluded.
Sirens blared as police rushed into the buildings. Part of Avenida Constitución was closed before the afternoon rush hour.
Stay tuned to Telemundo 44 for an update on this developing story.
