A congressional staffer was arrested and criminally charged after bringing a gun into a House office building Thursday morning, the Capitol Police said.
Why it matters: The brief incident prompted a security lockdown in the Longworth House Office Building at a time when the Capitol complex has been shaken by a series of violent attacks and threats.
- Staffers were told just before 8am to move to the nearest office, "close, lock and stay away from external doors and windows" and "remain quiet and silence electronics," according to a security alert obtained by Axios.
- The all-clear was sent out seven minutes later.
- The incident comes as President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses are scheduled to attend a memorial ceremony for former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole at the Capitol.
What they’re saying: The staffer is Jeffrey Allsbrooks, a logistics manager at the House Chief Administrative Office, according to a statement from the Capitol Police. The CAO serves administrative roles for the House including human resources, payroll and finance.
- Officers spotted the gun in Allbrooks' bag during a security screening and tracked him down four minutes later, according to the statement.
- Allsbrooks, who told police he forgot the gun was in his bag, has been charged with carrying a pistol without a license, the statement says. The matter is still being investigated.
- "Just a reminder that coming to the Capitol is the thankless risk Hill staffers take everyday, to ensure the government functions," tweeted Samah Shaiq, a staffer in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office.
- The CAO declined to comment on the incident. Allsbrooks did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
