Man shot by police after drawing gun at US Capitol

A man was shot by police on Monday at a security checkpoint of US Capitol complex after he appeared to draw a gun and point it at police officers, according to US Capitol authorities.

The suspect had been taken into custody and was transported to a local hospital, said Capitol police chief Matthew Verderosa here at a briefing.

No police officer was injured in the incident, said Verderosa, adding that a female bystander sustained minor injuries.

Previous local media reports had said that a police officer was injured by the shooter.

The incident occurred amid a busy season of tourism. However, local authorities assured the public that there was no reason to suspect terrorism.

According to a twitter post by Metropolitan Police Department, the incident was “isolated” and did not present an “active threat to the public.”

The Capitol complex was on lock-down for about an hour after the incident and staffers there were told to shelter in place.

The White House was also on lock-down as a “precautionary measure”, according to Secret Service spokesman Robert Hoback, but the complex was soon cleared.

Image – File photo (IANS)