Political staff for Congressmen Kevin McCarthy and David Valadao were locked in for about an hour Monday after a man with a gun walked through metal detectors at the Capitol Visitor's Center.
Valadao's director of communications said she was locked in a large closet, after the "shelter in place" alert went out. Staff in the Capitol building along with several government buildings nearby were under the same protocol, according to Valadao.
Valadao explained shelter in place means no one can enter or leave a building. This is meant to keep staffers and visitors safe from any intruder.
Matt Sparks, Media Relations for Kevin McCarthy said their office was under lockdown but they were able to move around the building.
ABC News identified the man who walked through the metal detectors with a gun as Larry Dawson of Tennessee. Dawson reportedly pulled out his gun and was shot by U.S. Capitol Police.
Valadao said while he and other Congressmen were not in D.C., and it was worrisome that this incident happened around this time because there are so many tourists in the area.
"The tourism is high right now because the weather is nice and the cherry blossoms and everything going on," Valadao said.
The lockdown was lifted around 1 p.m. according to a tweet by Senate Sergeant At Arms.
Capitol Police and Sergeant at Arms had planned to do a "shelter in place" drill this week and next week. One went as planned Monday morning at the Capitol. According to ABC News this may have given staffers the impression that the noon lockdown was an exercise.
