US Capitol on Lockdown After Shooter Commits Suicide, Leaves Suspicious Package

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. was put on lockdown Saturday afternoon after a man shot himself at the west front. Streets in the area were closed, as a suspicious package reportedly left by the man was investigated, possibly a bag or backpack he was carrying. A recent update at the UK Mirror says the package is a suitcase.

Congress is currently on spring break, with lawmakers not scheduled to return until Monday.

“Confirmed: self-inflicted gunshot by neutralized subject,” Capitol police spokeswoman Kimberly Schneider is quoted at CNN. “Multiple law enforcement/emergency services have responded in support of the incident.”

There have been reports that the man was carrying some sort of protest sign, with rumors unconfirmed at the time of this writing that it said something like “Tax the One Percent.”