Capitol Goes in Different Security Directions in Wake of Shooting Roll Call (09/16/13) Hess, Hannah; Dick, Jason The Sept. 16 shooting at the Washington Navy Yard triggered a partial lockdown on Capitol Hill, reports indicate. While armored vehicles were brought in to the East Front of the Capitol and U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officers changed to enhanced tactical gear, no universal lock down orders were given. The Senate recessed on Monday afternoon and Sergeant-at-Arms Terrance Gainer gave the order to shelter-in-place. The Senate complex was locked down after 3 p.m., meaning that no one was allowed to enter or leave the building. Those orders were partially lifted at 4:00 p.m. The House also declared a recess, but did not give any similar orders to lock down. House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving did send an e-mail at about 1:30 p.m. saying "There is no information indicating the Capitol Complex, staff, visitors, or Members are at risk. The USCP has implemented substantial additional security measures." The Capitol Visitor Center, meanwhile, continued to give tours until 4:30 p.m. on Monday and was never locked down. "The reasons for the different approaches by the House and Senate sergeant-at-arms are varied, but in the end [were] judgment calls ... I elected to err on the side of caution," said Gainer in his comments on the incident.
Posted on: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 21:35:37 +0000
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