US Capitol Police Clear Two Suspicious Packages

New incidents come one day after shooting at Capitol Visitor Center

A Capitol Visitor Center employee helps tourists evacuate after a shooting Monday in the Capitol Visitor Center. (l Drago/CQ Roll Call)
A Capitol Visitor Center employee helps tourists evacuate after a shooting Monday in the Capitol Visitor Center. (l Drago/CQ Roll Call)
Posted March 29, 2016 at 10:18am

Capitol Police cleared two suspicious packages on Tuesday just one day after a shooting at the visitor’s center.  

The first package, an unattended backpack at the East Front of the Capitol, was removed after its owner was found, police said. A second package, another bag at the entrance of the Library of Congress Jefferson Building, was cleared minutes later.  

No lock downs or evacuations were ordered during the investigation into the packages.  

Capitol Police beefed up security after a 66-year-old Tennessee man, Larry R. Dawson, was shot when entering the Capitol Visitor Center Monday after he pulled out what appeared to be a weapon.  

Dawson, who was arrested in October 2015 after causing a disturbance in the House chamber, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a police officer while armed, Capitol Police said.  

Dawson was in stable but critical condition as of Monday evening. The Capitol Visitor Center re-opened Tuesday.  

Contact Rahman at remarahman@cqrollcall.com or follow her on Twitter at @remawriter


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