Members of Arkansas’ congressional delegation and their staff members took cover in their offices Thursday as reports came in of shots fired outside the Washington D.C. Capitol.
The shooting turned out to be a police chase in which authorities shot and killed a female suspect they said was driving dangerously.
Right after the shooting, 5NEWS talked with Congressman Steve Womack and Sen. John Boozman on video calls. They both said this was a very serious situation.
“I remember because when the alarms went off, I looked at my watch and it was 2:20p.m. We were advised of a potential shooter in the Capitol Hill region," said Womack.
The strategy was to stay inside, lock the doors and listen for updates on the intercom.
Womack and Boozman said they and their staff members used their cell phones and social media during the lockdown to communicate with family members and the public.
“With social media and what have you, I made some personal phone calls. I talked with members of my family," Boozman said.
Boozman praised the quick response from the capitol police officers
The members of Arkansas’ congressional delegation said their offices resumed their normal schedules as soon as the all-clear was given by authorities Thursday afternoon.