Shots were fired in an apparent suicide on Saturday night at the US Capitol Building in Washington DC according to local reports.
The CBS-affiliated WUSA9 quoted police as saying the gunfire targeted the West Front of the building, and that the suspected shooter has been neutralized.
According to NBC, the gunman shot himself.
In what is possibly an additional prong of attack related to the shooting, authorities are investigating a suspicious package on the lower west terrace of the Capitol.
Reports indict the package is a suitcase found near the shooter.
The capitol building as well as the Capitol visitor center have been put on lockdown by US Capitol Police following the shooting as a precautionary defensive measure.
First St. between Independence Ave, SW and Constitution Ave, NW have been closed as well following the shooting.