Speaking to reporters after a shooting incident at the US Capitol Visitor Center on Monday, police chief Matthew Verderosa said that he could not identify the shooter at this time, but confirmed that he was "known" to authorities.
According to local ABC and NBC affiliates, the suspect has been identified as Larry Dawson, a preacher from Antioch, Tennessee. Reports indicate that the suspect's weapon was a pellet gun.
This isn’t the first time that Dawson has caused a scene at the Capitol Building. Last October, he was reportedly charged with unlawful misconduct and assault on an officer after yelling that he was a "prophet of God" from the balcony of the House of Representatives.
Police found a grey pickup truck with Tennessee license plates believed to belong to Dawson. The vehicle was parked in a lot on the Capitol grounds.
While no officers were injured, Verderosa told reporters that a female bystander sustained minor injuries.
The Capitol remained on lockdown for approximately an hour after staffers were told to shelter in place.
The suspect is undergoing surgery at the hospital, his condition unknown.
