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Two police officers have been injured after a car crashed into a barrier and gunshots were heard outside the US Capitol building in Washington DC.
Footage captured at the scene shows an air ambulance landing on the eastern side of the complex in the American capital, with at least two people reportedly being taken away on stretchers.
According to sources at the scene, emergency services' radios claim at least one police officer is among those injured.
A suspect is now believed to be in police custody, with the Capitol complex still on lockdown.
The driver reportedly hit two police officers with the car and was shot after jumping out with a knife.
MSNBC reporter Kyle Griffin tweeted: "After striking two Capitol Police officers, the driver jumped out of the car with a knife and was shot by Capitol police."
U.S. Capitol Police tweeted: "CRITICAL INCIDENT: USCP is responding to the North Barricade vehicle access point along Independence Avenue for reports someone rammed a vehicle into two USCP officers.
"A suspect is in custody. Both officers are injured. All three have been transported to the hospital."
Police corrected the tweet to say Constitution Avenue and added: "Due to the external security threat at the North Barricade of the U.S. Capitol, the following road closures are in effect: -Constitution Avenue between Second Street NE and First Street NW. -First Street between Constitution Avenue NE and Independence Avenue SE."
A video from outside the Capitol shows a vehicle that appears to have slammed into a barricade surrounding the complex.
The Good Friday incident comes just days after police on Wednesday responded to a suspicious package at the Capitol.
The package was found at a ground-floor level meeting room in the Rayburn House Office Building, NBC 4 reporter Scott MacFarlane tweeted.
Officials later confirmed it had been cleared and the building was being reopened.
Police said they continue to investigate. Staff had been evacuated as a precaution.
They said in a statement: "The USCP has cleared the incident with the Suspicious Package located inside the Rayburn House Office Building.
"The area has reopened and any associated door closures will clear momentarily. USCP is continuing to investigate."
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