GRAND FORKS -- Five University of North Dakota students visiting Rep. Kevin Cramer in Washington, D.C., were witness to some of the events involving a police shooting Thursday outside the Capitol.
Group members, who were in town to attend an American Student Government Association meeting, said they thought the chaos outside the congressman's office window was a protest.
"After we heard the sirens and looked out the window there were several officers running down the street who had just drawn their guns running away from the building we're in, and that was about 15 seconds before some sort of alarm went off and we were told to lock the doors to the office and stay inside," said Nick Creamer, UND Student Body president.
With him were seniors Lexi Hanson and John Mitzel and sophomores Joe Kalka and Matt Copper. They were waiting in the Longworth House Office Building for the start of a tour of the Capitol with Cramer.
The commotion was caused by police chasing a driver who had earlier tried to ram the security gate at the White House. She was shot and killed by police after a chase that ended at the Capitol.
ADVERTISEMENT
After the lockdown ended, the students were able to go on the tour and continue with the rest of their day.
The shooting comes two weeks after a mentally disturbed employee terrorized a Navy Yard with a shotgun, leaving 13 people dead including the gunman.
As a warning was sounded, the House abruptly went into recess and lawmakers left the chamber floor. The Senate also suspended business.
