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Explore our coverage of government and politics.

Senator Bernie Sanders Nearby D.C. Shooting, Capitol Lockdown

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders was in the middle of a frantic scene in the nation’s capital today as gunshots were fired near congressional offices.

The incident set off a huge security response and forced a temporary lockdown of the Capitol complex.

Sanders said he was walking back from a caucus lunch when he heard shots fired.

"And about halfway back I suddenly heard a bunch of police cars, sirens blasting, running down Constitution Avenue. And just as I was looking at that, I suddenly heard a bunch of shots, you know, ‘pop, pop, pop.’ Maybe four or five shots. And then police officers were all over the place saying, ‘get down, get down, get down. And another senator and I ducked behind a car," said Sanders.

Sanders said the incident was unsettling.

"A couple of weeks ago we had this terrible, terrible incident at the Navy Yard where a dozen people were killed. So, you don’t know, you don’t know if this is a terrorist attack, a deranged individual. You don’t know. But to say the least, it’s unsettling," said Sanders.

Bob Kinzel has been covering the Vermont Statehouse since 1981 — longer than any continuously serving member of the Legislature. With his wealth of institutional knowledge, he answers your questions on our series, "Ask Bob."
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