Capitol shooting suspect charged with assault
A man suspected of pulling out a gun inside the visitors center of the Capitol on Monday has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a police officer while armed, according to authorities.
Police identified Larry R. Dawson, 66, of Tennessee as the suspect, whom police shot after they said he drew what appeared to be a weapon and pointed it at officers at a security checkpoint. A weapon was recovered at the scene.
{mosads}The incident shut down the Capitol for part of the afternoon Monday. Staffers in the area were told to shelter in place and tourists were pushed back from the Capitol grounds.
Dawson was transported to a hospital Monday for treatment and was listed as in stable but critical condition. A female bystander who also suffered minor injures has not been identified by police.
Authorities said they had secured the man’s vehicle and would search it after a search warrant had been granted. Police said they believed the suspect had visited the Capitol before.
Reports on Monday noted that Dawson was previously arrested for disrupting a House session last year, shouting “I’m a prophet of God.” He was ordered to stay away from the Capitol.
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