Man charged following shooting at US Capitol building

A man has been charged over a shooting at the US Capitol building.

Larry Dawson, aged 66, from Tennessee, remains in stable but critical condition in hospital, Capitol Police said.

He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a police officer while armed.

The White House was temporarily put on lockdown after a gunshots were reported at Capitol Hill - but reports that someone had tried to gain entry to the building were "incorrect", a US Secret Service spokesman has said.

Tourists were cleared from the area and workers were ordered to "shelter in place" after shots were fired.

NBC Washington reported that a man had been entering the US Capitol Visitor Center when the metal detector went off. He then pulled out a gun, which had set the alarm off, and an officer shot him.

He was then transported to hospital under police escort.

Initial reports suggested an officer had been shot, but the US Capitol police chief later said this was incorrect and no officers were hurt. Instead, a female bystander was injured by "flying debris".

There is no reason to believe it was anything else than a criminal act, he added - and said the suspect was known to police.

The Visitors Center is expected to open tomorrow as normal.

A gunman who allegedly opened fire on Capitol Hill in Washington DC has been captured, according to the office of the Congress Sergeant-at-Arms.

One police officer was shot but his injuries are not thought to be serious.

The White House and Capitol Hill was placed on lockdown after gunshots were reported, with people nearby urged to take cover.

• Read: 'Gunshots' reported in Washington DC

Gunshots have been reported in the US Capitol Visitors Center, according to US Senate sources.

The White House and the Capitol has been put on lockdown, according to reports, while workers have been told to "shelter in place".

A Capitol Police statement is expected to be issued soon.