Update: “It was the Army parachute team at Nats Park. False alarm at the Capitol.”
From the US Capitol Police: “The Capitol was evacuated out of an abundance of caution this evening.
There is no threat at the Capitol.
More details to come.”
Full release from USCP:
“The United States Capitol Police must make split-second decisions that could make the difference between life and death. The decision to evacuate the campus is not one we take lightly.
The last time we had an evacuation due to a potential air threat was in June of 2014. Every week the USCP is made aware of hundreds of authorized flights in the restricted airspace. It is extremely unusual not to be made aware of a flight in advance.
Last night around 6:30 pm, an unidentified plane was spotted within seconds of the U.S. Capitol. As soon as it was determined that we were not given advanced notice of an approved flight, our officers followed USCP policies and procedures and immediately led everyone safely out of the Congressional buildings. Seconds matter.
The single engine airplane was later determined to be a military flight by the Golden Knights Parachute Team for Military Appreciation night at Nationals Park.”
Update closeup from K Sheridan:
Katie writes: “a plane just flew over dc, and it just dropped 7 or so parachutes towards the south of town” (more…)
