The USCP Remains Vigilant Following False Active Shooter Report

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) is still investigating a false report of an active shooter on Capitol Grounds, which officers cleared this afternoon.

The Department will remain vigilant as we continue to communicate and work closely with all of our federal and local law enforcement partners.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., DC's Metropolitan Police Department put out a radio call alerting the USCP that a caller reported that there was a possible active shooter in or near the Senate Office Buildings.

USCP officers immediately started searching the Senate Buildings. During this time nobody, including officers who were posted throughout the Buildings, confirmed that they heard gunshots. The officers continued to search hundreds of rooms and hallways throughout multiple floors of the three Senate Buildings until the Department was confident that there was no threat to the community.

USCP investigators are working to investigate the source of the call.

"Our officers showed tremendous courage and commitment to our mission today," said USCP Chief Tom Manger. "I am grateful for the patience of the Congressional community and the public while our dedicated officers worked to ensure there was not a threat. We also appreciate our civilian employees as well as our local and federal law enforcement partners for their quick assistance to ensure everyone's safety."

Congress was out of session for August recess.

During the last two years, the USCP has been improving its training program, to include several active shooter drills in the Congressional Buildings, including the very Senate Office Buildings the officers searched today. Just last month, the Department had one of those exercises in the Dirksen Senate Building. Training like this helps our teams prepare for incidents just like the one today.

NOTE: We will post pictures of some of those previous training exercises on our USCP Twitter account.