Breaking News; Rumor control.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

If this shooting at the Capitol ends up being a serious news story, I'd ask that people be cautious in what they post before things are verified. Based on past experiences, initial reports in these types of breaking news stories (shootings, terrorist acts) typically are very inaccurate.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Amen Tommy

I'm seeing a lot of accusations flying when there is a good chance that people are in danger. Serious danger.

[HappyMe]

2. I agree.

But what fun would that be?


It will be awhile before we know what's up.

[LiberalLoner]

3. Wilco.

[Peacetrain]

4. +1000

People being human and excitable.. (which we all are from time to time) usually the first reports are nearly always wrong.. wait.. breathe..good advice for us all

[hedgehog]

5. .

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. Too many ready to "jump the gun". Oddly they don't seem to care about being embarassed.

Further, unsubstantiated rumors and accusations can destroy reputations and damage lives.

I like to think DU is more reality-based, fact-oriented, than other forum sites.

[Ohio Joe]

7. I don't know...

Doing that would kind of put a damper on conspiracy theories

[Avalux]

8. I agree completely. This is serious, and jokes I'm seeing here are not appropriate. n/t

[Barack_America]

9. I only marvel how unstable this country has become.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. Many of us have been talking of this for a long time

And have been told we're nuts.

I fear we are far from hitting bottom though

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. One prediction though

I almost predict the lone gunman.

But this is quite serious.

[Egalitarian Thug]

11. Yeah, nobody here has ever dealt with anything like this before. Your concern is noted. n/t

[sofa king]

12. First stories:

http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/03/20805397-us-capitol-placed-on-lockdown?lite

The United States Capitol was placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon following reports of shots fired in the vicinity of the chamber. At least one Capitol Police officer was injured.

The FBI was responding to the scene, and a helicopter landed in front of the Capitol. A message from the Capitol Police ordered anyone in a House office to "shelter in place."
____________________

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/03/breaking-reports-of-shots-fired-on-capitol-hill/

:

"SHELTER IN PLACE. Gunshots have been reported on Capitol Hill requiring all occupants in all House Office Buildings to shelter in place. Close, lock and stay away from external doors and windows. Take annunciators, Go Kits and escape hoods; and move to the innermost part of the office away from external doors or windows. If you are not in your office, take shelter in the nearest office, check in with your OEC and wait for USCP to clear the incident. No one will be permitted to enter or exit the building until directed by USCP. All staff should monitor the situation. Further information will be provided as it becomes available."

_____________________

If this is a parent with a sick child, a combat veteran denied VA resources, or something similar, it could be really bad. Watch the Speaker's Office try to control the message if that's the case.

[sofa king]

22. More stories:

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/10/03/u-s-capitol-on-lockdown-after-reports-of-shooting/

According to law enforcement sources, the incident may have started when someone tried to ram the gate at the White House before fleeing 16 blocks to the Capitol building.

A female gunman was reportedly dead on the scene and the lockdown has been lifted.

__________________

http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/10/03/report-shots-heard-outside-u-s-capitol/

The incident started down Pennsylvania Avenue, when a woman tried to ram her car through a White House gate, multiple law enforcement sources told NBC News.

Officers pursued the driver to the Capitol, where witnesses heard between three and 15 shots.

...

Rep. Gerry Connolly, who was on the balcony talking to his colleagues, described a “burst” of gunfire from the House side of the Capitol, towards the House office buildings.

“It was like the first volley in a 21-gun salute,” Rep. Matthew Cartwright said, saying it sounded like a “large caliber” weapon. He described hearing about 7 or 8 shots.
_________________________

Gunshots in cities are typically misreported and mis-heard as more than actually fired, because echoes off of buildings create a sonic illusion.
_________________________

Allow me to point out the irony that this person appears to have blamed the President, but it was Congress that killed her.

[B2G]

14. But it's so much more fun to blame our political opponents!!

High speed chase. Baby removed from car. You do the math.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

17. Looks like you are wrong

[B2G]

19. Explain

Show your work.

[BumRushDaShow]

15. Pete Williams is claiming it started at the White House

and the individual tried to breach security and then was pursued down to where the shoot-out occurred.

[sofa king]

20. That was a bad choice, going East.

Trying to ditch the scene by going East on Constitution forces one to pass at least twelve different uniformed police and security forces, including White House, Smithsonian, Treasury, National Park Service, IRS, assorted other Federal Triangle forces, Metro, the Canadian Embassy, Capitol Hill police, Supreme Court security, and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe's DC headquarters.

On the other hand, taking Constitution is virtually the only way a driver can cover a mile in DC in less than ten minutes. The lights are programmed so that a constant speed of 30 mph (not the posted 25 mph) will hit all the lights, depending on time of day. Doing twice that might be survivable also.

[FSogol]

21. On a normal day. With everything closed and Federal workers away, traffic must be

lighter in DC today.

[sofa king]

23. Definitely.

It might not even be feasible on a normal day, getting that far.

[JustAnotherGen]

16. Too late

Folks have already gone all conspiracy theory and are using it as a purity test of credentials at DU.

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. People do that

So that does not surprise me, and the piling ons have started too

Sadly it's DU

[el_bryanto]

24. That doesn't sound like nearly as much fun as wild speculation and blaming people I don't like

Probably the right thing to do though.