Man Fatally Shot by U.S. Capitol Police
posted 6:24 pm Wed July 15, 2009 - WASHINGTON
from ABC 7 News - http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0709/640701.html

U.S. Capitol Police fatally shot a man at New Jersey Avenue NW and C Street NW, blocks from the Capitol, according to U.S. Capitol Police.

According to Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, a police spokeswoman, U.S. Capitol Police officers tried to stop a vehicle about 5:15 p.m. in the 100 block of Massachusetts Avenue NE , but the driver fled into Columbus Circle -- the area near Union Station, where car struck an officer, who was injured.

The extent of the officer's injuries were not immediately available.

The vehicle kept fleeing, traveling the wrong way down Louisiana Avenue, where it was stopped at New Jersey and C, Sgt. Schneider said.

Schneider said the driver exited the vehicle and produced a weapon. Officers ordered the man to drop it, but he refused, according to Schneider.

The officers opened fire, wounding the man. Schneider said the driver died from his injuries.

Robert Drum, a tourist from Edmond, Oklahoma, said he saw a white Mercedes being chased at a high rate of speed by two police cruisers toward a Capitol parking area, where the vehicle crashed into a barricade. That's when gunfire erupted, he said.

D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Pete Piringer said the wounded person was a 35-year-old civilian, who was taken to Washington Hospital Center's MedStar trauma unit in critical condition.

The shooting happened just blocks from the U.S. Capitol.

Police sealed off some of the entrances to the U.S. Capitol after reports of gunfire a few blocks away. The all-clear was sounded about 5:35 p.m.

Police closed of Constitution Avenue between First St. NW and First St. NE.

ABC 7 News has multiple crews on the scene. Check back for further updates.