Official: Man shot at Capitol Visitor Center once disrupted Congress

The armed man shot by Capitol Police on Monday after a dispute with officers at the Capitol Visitor Center had previously disrupted a session of Congress, a federal law enforcement official said.

The official, who was not authorized to speak about the investigation, said that in October, Larry Dawson of Tennessee yelled from a House balcony that he was a "prophet of God," the Los Angeles Times reports. On Monday, he was stopped by Capitol Police after he set off a metal detector as he tried to enter the Capitol Visitor Center. After an altercation with officers, Dawson drew a weapon, and at least one police officer opened fire. Dawson was treated at an area hospital, and a weapon was recovered from the scene.

During a press conference, Capitol Police Chief Matthew Verderosa did not name Dawson, and said the suspect's motives were unclear but "there is no reason to believe this is anything more than a criminal act." A female adult bystander sustained minor injuries during the ordeal.

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