Daniel Malloy is The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s congressional correspondent based in Washington, D.C. He was at the U.S. Capitol when shots were fired. Below is his account.
Around 2:15-2:20 p.m. I was interviewing U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall, R-Lawrenceville next to the steps in front of the House of Representatives. We heard what sounded like a burst of gunfire coming from the South end of the Capitol. At least 10 shots or so.
After a brief pause of bewilderment from us and the other people outside — members of Congress, tourists, reporters, some protesters — several Capitol police officers ran toward us yelling at us to move away. We retreated across a barricade into the grass east of the House side. Then another burst of gunfire came from what appeared to be in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building, which is across the street from the Senate side. Given the amount of time that transpired between the two events, I’m not sure one person could have covered all that ground on foot.
A large group of tourists then ran towards us and police herded the crowd — including Woodall — south of the Capitol toward the metro station.
The U.S. Capitol was locked down and employees were told to shelter in place.
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