Panic in Washington: False report of a shooting incident in the Capitol

The Capitol Police in Washington reported yesterday evening (Wednesday) a suspected shooting incident in one of the Senate buildings, and called on those present to take cover. It was later reported in the American media that the forces had evacuated the capitol building.

According to the police report, there was a "suspicion of a security threat and an active shooter" roaming in the Senate buildings. Following the report, an emergency was declared in the compound, and large police forces were summoned to the area and conducted searches.

Subsequently, it was reported that the incident appears to be related to a disturbed individual and that no shooting took place, as initially claimed. A short time later, the police confirmed that it was a false alarm, stating that "no shooter was found on the premises, and no injuries were reported at the scene."

It should be noted that the US Congress is currently in the summer recess that will last until September 5, so the members of the Senate themselves were not present in the building at the time of the event, and most of the Capitol buildings were not fully staffed.