Buildings evacuated as police respond to ‘bomb threat’ near US Capitol

The United States police say they are investigating “an active bomb threat” near the US Capitol in Washington.

According to Thomas Manger, US Capitol police chief, security operatives are negotiating with a man who claimed to have a bomb in his truck, which was parked near the Library of Congress, which is across from the US Capitol building.

The man reportedly drove a black pick-up truck onto the sidewalk in front of the library’s Jefferson building at 9:15 am, and told an officer that he had a bomb.

MEDIA ALERT: This is an active bomb threat investigation. The staging area for journalists covering this situation is at Constitution and First Street, NW for your safety.

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Please continue to avoid the area around the Library of Congress. pic.twitter.com/jTNVaBmVwR

— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) August 19, 2021

“My negotiators are hard at work to try to have a peaceful resolution to this incident,” Manger told reporters, adding that the police do not know what the suspect’s motives are.

Several streets in the area, as well as nearby buildings including the US supreme court, have been closed and evacuated.

Congress is not in session.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also said its Washington field office, along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are responding to the threat.

The incident comes four months after a car rammed into a barricade outside the US Capitol Hill.

A police officer was killed, while another sustained injuries during the incident.

Also, in January, the Capitol Hill was invaded by thousands of protesters during the process of certifying Joe Biden’s presidency.

Four persons lost their lives during the mob attack.