A man who pulled a weapon at the US Capitol on Monday was shot by the Police and charged with criminal offenses.
The suspect, lated identified as Larry Russell Dawson, 66, from Tennessee, was shot by the Capitol Police after pulling out a weapon at the Capitol Visitor Center entrance on Monday.
Police Chief Matthew Verderosa declared about the attack: “We believe this is an act of a single person who has frequented the Capitol grounds before, and there is no reason to believe this is anything more than a criminal act.”
According to law enforcement officials, the man has a history of criminal offenses. Following police intervention, Larry Dawson was hospitalized in critical, but stable condition. After his hospital recovery, he will face assault charges in front of the District of Columbia Superior Court.
During the Capitol shooting, a civilian was injured and taken to the hospital for treatment of “minor wounds”. No law enforcement officers were wounded.
Dawson was brought to the Police’s attention last year, when he was arrested after he assaulted a police officer last October and disrupted the House of Representatives session. During the incident, he shouted to the Congress that he was “a prophet of God”. Despite having been issued a “stay away order”, Dawson has tried to enter the Capitol grounds carrying a weapon yesterday.
House Speaker Paul Ryan commented on the Police prompt intervention:
“Today we are reminded of the courage and daily sacrifice of the United States Capitol Police. The Capitol is our greatest symbol of democracy, and these officers serve to protect not just those who work there but also the millions of visitors from all around the world who travel each year to see it.”
Following the armed incident, the Capitol complex remained locked for about one hour, after staff was instructed to seek shelter inside. As a security precaution, the White House also closed two of its entrances. According to the D.C. Police Department, there are no active threats to the public at the moment.
