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Shortly after 1 p.m. ET, hundreds of pro-Trump protesters broke through barriers erected along the perimeter of the Capitol Building, where they clashed with officers in full riot gear, with some calling the officers “traitors.” for doing their job. About 90 minutes later, police said protesters entered the building and the doors to the House and Senate were locked. Shortly after, the floor of the house was evacuated by the police.
An armed standoff was taking place at the House’s front door starting at 3 p.m. ET, and police officers fired their guns at someone trying to walk through it. A Trump supporter was also pictured standing on the Senate dais.
A woman is in critical condition after being shot in the chest on the Capitol grounds, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The sources were unable to provide further details on the circumstances of the shooting.
Vice President Mike Pence was also evacuated from the Capitol, where he was to play his part in the counting of the votes.
Video from inside the Capitol showed Trump supporters parading through Statuary Hall. U.S. Capitol Police are requesting further assistance from law enforcement, including federal authorities, according to a familiar source.
The source says there are several suspicious devices outside the Capitol building.
House and Senate leaders are safe and in undisclosed locations, according to a familiar person. Another lawmaker said House members were evacuated to a location this source would not disclose.
The United States Capitol Police are working on securing the second floor of the Capitol first, then will expand from there. Outside the Capitol, the DC Metropolitan Police Department continues to rally, but no major movement has yet been made towards the crowds.
The Capitol Police officer in the House chamber told lawmakers they may need to hide under their chairs and informed lawmakers that protesters were in the building’s rotunda. Many members of the House were seen wearing gas masks as they moved between the Capitol buildings. Members were calling the family to say they are doing well.
While the White House declined to comment on the protests, Trump said on Twitter: “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on our country side. Stay in peace!”
Others inside the president’s orbit tweeted their pleas for calm as crowds repeatedly attempted to take over the building.
Donald Trump Jr., the president’s son, said his supporters who assaulted Capitol Hill were “wrong and not who we are.”
“Be peaceful and use your 1st Amendment rights, but don’t start acting like the other side. We have a country to save and it doesn’t help anyone,” he tweeted.
Protesters broke through exterior security gates and video footage shows protesters gathering and clashes with police near the Capitol building. The CNN team on the ground saw a number of protesters trying to climb up the side of the Capitol building. Several loud flashes were heard.
Protesters could be seen pushing against metal fences and police using the fences to push back protesters, while other officers reached the top for people at the club trying to cross their lines.
Flashes of lightning could be heard near the steps of the Capitol as smoke filled the air. In some cases, officers could be seen deploying pepper spray. Tear gas was fired, but it is not known whether by protesters or by police, and people wiped tears from their eyes while coughing.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser just announced a citywide curfew from 6 p.m. ET Wednesday to 6 a.m. ET Thursday.
Federal and local law enforcement is responding to reports of possible homemade bombs in several locations in Washington DC, according to a federal law enforcement official. It is not known if the devices are real or a hoax, but they are treated as real.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
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