Man commits suicide near U.S. Capitol

 

 

WASHINGTON (KABC) --

A man shot himself near the U.S. Capitol building Saturday, prompting an investigation of a suspicious package and the building to be placed on lockdown.

Capitol Police said the man shot himself near the West Front of the U.S. Capitol building. He was wearing a blue backpack and had a sign taped to his hand. A suitcase was also found nearby.

The man appears to have been "neutralized" by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. Multiple law enforcement and emergency service agencies responded to the scene.

The Capitol building was on lockdown as a precautionary measure, according to Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider.

Bomb technicians investigated the suitcase, which was on the lower west terrace of the building.

No one was allowed to enter or exit the building and the visitors center. The lockdown was lifted shortly before 4 p.m. The West Front remained closed until further notice.

The Associated Press and ABC News contributed to this report.