BREAKING: Capitol Building On Lockdown; UPDATE: All Clear

Matt Vespa | July 08, 2016 9:26 AM

UPDATE: Lockdown is over, all clear on Capitol Grounds. Yet, details as to what triggered the lockdown remains unclear. You have one officer offering a sketchy report of a woman being spotted on Capitol Grounds pressing a gun. AP added that the sergeant at arms office told a House Democratic leadership staffer that a woman with a gun had been seen in the tunnel leading into the Rayburn House Office Building.

UPDATE II: Via CNN, there was no gun. Police stopped an employee as this person was walking in the tunnel that connects the Rayburn House Office Building to the U.S. Capitol. The lockdown was issued as a precaution. There was an object in this person’s backpack that initially created a cause for concern:

"Out of an abundance of caution, the Capitol was placed on lockdown to keep everyone safe until the circumstances could be verified," the Capitol Police said.

"Upon further investigation, USCP determined that the item was not a threat to the safety and security of the Congressional community, and the lockdown was immediately lifted."

The Capitol Police said it would continue to urge Members of Congress, staff and visitors to be aware of their surroundings while in the U.S. Capitol complex and to report any unusual activity to the authorities.

BREAKING: U.S. Capitol no longer in lockdown; loudspeaker announcement on grounds says lockdown concluded.
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 8, 2016

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The Associated Press is reporting that the U.S. Capitol is on lockdown. The news organization reported that one officer told them that there were “sketchy” reports that a woman on the Capitol Grounds may be armed with a gun. The lockdown occurred a little after 9 a.m. We’ll keep you updated.