Gunshots fired at U.S. Capitol after car rammed barrier near White House (video + pics)

A car chase that began with a vehicle crashing into a security barrier near the White House ended with gunshots fired near the U.S. Capitol earlier this afternoon.

U.S. Capitol Police Chief Kim Dine told reporters that there is no information to indicate the incident was an act of terrorism or anything other than an isolated incident. He said that Capitol Police believed there was a child in a car but could not confirm, and he could not provide details on the condition of either the driver of the car or the officer believed to be injured...



Click to view the video: Link

The U.S. Capitol was put on lockdown after the gunshots fired and the area was put on high alert. Those inside the Capitol were told to shelter in place until the order was lifted close to 3 p.m.. There is still significant police activity around the building.

CBS News' Bob Orr and Bill Plante reported that a vehicle struck a barrier at 15th St. and Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., one block from the White House. The driver, a woman, began driving toward the Capitol with Secret Service officers in pursuit. In the vicinity of 2nd or 3rd St. and Constitution Ave., N.E., there were gunshots fired. One person was apparently hit, Orr reported, and there might have been some injuries.

Plante said President Obama has been notified.

CBSNEWS / MAPBOX

The Associated Press is citing unconfirmed reports that one police officer has been injured. U.S. Capitol Police will hold a news conference at 3:30 p.m. at 3rd St. and Constitution Ave., N.E.

Capitol Police and local law enforcement agencies are currently processing two crime scenes. One at 1st St. and Constitution Ave. N.E., where an officer was injured in a crash and has now bee transported to a local hospital. The second is at 2nd St. and Maryland Ave., N.E., where a car that does not belong to the U.S. Capitol Police is being processed.

According to CBS News' Alicia Budich, an announcement over the Capitol P.A. system said, "Gunfire heard on Capitol Hill. If you are in an office building shelter in place." Budich reported at 2:52 p.m. that people were able to exit the Capitol out of the South Door.

CBS News' Major Garrett also reports that that the section of Pennsylvania Ave. in front of the White House has been closed off. U.S. Secret Service told CBS News it was shut down in response to the reports of a shooting.

Source:http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57605915/gunshots-fired-at-u.s-capitol-after-car-rammed-barrier-near-white-house/