False gunfire alarm rattles Capitol

WASHINGTON – Heavily armed Capitol police swarmed through a House office building and briefly closed the Capitol on Friday after a congressman thought he heard gunfire and triggered what turned out to be a frightening false alarm.

Authorities reported no arrests, gunfire or even injuries after a methodical three-hour search that stranded lawmakers and aides alike in their offices – though one aide was so rattled by the sight of police tactical teams that she was taken to a nearby hospital with a panic attack.

Through the day, officers with rifles stood by outside, and ambulances arrived after the phoned-in report of gunfire in the garage of the Rayburn House Office Building.

The report originated with Rep. Jim Saxton, R-N.J., his press secretary said. Saxton heard what he thought were gunshots and had a member of his staff call Capitol Police, said spokesman Greg Keeley.

Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said officers were looking at a “plausible explanation” that the day’s events resulted from noise made by construction workers in the Rayburn garage.

On high alert, police lined the street between the Capitol and the Rayburn building. Police methodically searched the sprawling building, where congressional staff members had locked themselves into their offices as a precaution.

Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., conducting a House Intelligence Committee hearing, interrupted a witness to ask those attending the meeting to remain in the room with the doors closed.

“It’s a little unsettling to get a Blackberry message put in front of you that says there’s gunfire in the building,” he said.