A protester shot himself dead at the West Front of the US Capitol building on Saturday afternoon, prompting a two-hour lockdown and road closures. Police don't believe the shooting is terrorism related.
The protester was carrying a sign and wearing a backpack, as well as pulling a rolling suitcase. According to witnesses, around 60 people were in the man's immediate vicinity, attending the annual Cherry Blossom festival, which is peak tourist season for Capitol Hill.
The protester held up a sign referring to taxation before pointing a handgun at his head and pulling the trigger. The doors to the Capitol building were immediately locked and all tourists in the building forced to remain inside. Roads around Capitol Hill were also closed off.
Lawmakers were not present as Congress is on spring recess until Monday.
A police bombsquad member examined the protester's rolling suitcase for signs of explosives, but none were found. The lockdown was called off around 3:50pm, after almost two hours.
Capitol Police Chief Kim Dine said in a news conference that the protester's suicide had no apparent connection to terrorism. The shooting is being investigated by the Capitol Police, as well as the FBI, Secret Service, and Park Police.
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