US Capitol Police Headquarters Evacuated After Suspicious Vehicle Found Nearby

What Happened?

On Friday morning, the headquarters of the United States Capitol Police (USCP) was temporarily evacuated. The reason? Officers discovered a suspicious vehicle parked very close to the building. Out of an abundance of caution, everyone inside was asked to leave immediately while experts investigated the vehicle.

Important Point: An "all clear" was given around 7:30 a.m., meaning the situation was resolved safely. No injuries were reported.

Where Did It Happen?

The suspicious vehicle was found in the 100 block of D Street NE in Washington, D.C. This is the exact same block where the USCP headquarters building is located.

What Did Officials Tell People to Do? (Step-by-Step)

When the evacuation order was given, officials provided clear, specific instructions to keep everyone safe and organized. Here is what they asked staff to do:

1. Remain calm. Panic makes emergencies worse.
2. Take annunciators. (An annunciator is a fancy word for a portable emergency alert device or pager that lets you receive messages).
3. Exit the building immediately.
4. Close doors behind you, but do NOT lock them. This allows emergency crews to enter quickly if needed.
5. Go to your designated assembly area. (This is a pre-assigned safe meeting spot away from the building).
6. Check in with your OEC. (OEC stands for Office Emergency Coordinator—a specific person assigned to take roll call and make sure everyone from your office is safe).

What Happened to the Roads?

To give police and bomb technicians space to work, several nearby roads were closed. All have since reopened.

Roads that were temporarily closed:

• D Street NE between First and Second Streets NE
• First Street NE between D Street and Columbus Circle NE
• Second Street NE between Massachusetts and Constitution Avenues NE
• Checkpoints 8, 9, and 10 (Security entry points around the Capitol complex)

Key Takeaways

• Safety First: The evacuation was a precaution because a vehicle looked suspicious near a high-security government building.
• Procedure Worked: Staff followed specific steps (don’t lock doors, meet at assembly point, check in with a coordinator).
• Quick Resolution: The threat was cleared in roughly an hour, roads reopened, and nobody was hurt.
• Source: This information comes directly from the United States Capitol Police and FOX 5 DC reporting.

Summary

Friday morning started with a security scare at the US Capitol Police HQ when a suspicious vehicle was spotted on D Street NE. The building was evacuated calmly and efficiently using established emergency plans. Staff exited without locking doors, gathered at safe meeting points, and checked in with their safety coordinators. Police investigated, gave the "all clear" by 7:30 a.m., reopened all closed roads and checkpoints, and confirmed no one was injured. It was a textbook example of security protocols working as intended.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is a "suspicious vehicle"?

It’s a vehicle that looks out of place or potentially dangerous—maybe it’s parked illegally in a secure zone, has been sitting there a long time, has wires showing, or the driver is acting strangely. Police treat it as a potential threat until proven otherwise.

2. Why did they say "don’t lock the doors"?

If there was a danger inside (like a fire or hazard), or if police needed to sweep the building quickly, locked doors would slow them down. Closing doors helps contain smoke/fire, but leaving them unlocked saves critical minutes for responders.

3. What is an "OEC"?

OEC stands for Office Emergency Coordinator. Think of them as the "safety captain" for a specific office or floor. Their job during an evacuation is to stand at the assembly area with a checklist and make sure every single person from their team is accounted for.

4. What are "Checkpoints 8, 9, and 10"?

These are security screening points (like airport security, but for cars and pedestrians) around the US Capitol Complex. They control who enters the secure perimeter. Closing them stops traffic from entering the zone while police work.

5. Is the Capitol Police HQ the same as the US Capitol Building?

No. The US Capitol Building is where Congress meets (the big white dome). The US Capitol Police Headquarters is a separate office building a few blocks away (on D Street NE) where the police force runs its operations, does paperwork, and plans security.