Shooting at US Capitol was suicide, say police

The shooting incident that prompted a lockdown at the US Capitol, the seat of the US Congress, has been described by police as a suicide and no apparent terrorism link was found.

"Confirmed: self-inflicted gunshot by neutralised subject," Capitol police spokeswoman Kimberly Schneider said, according to a Xinhua report on Saturday.

An unidentified man walked through a public area on the west front of the Capitol on Saturday afternoon and shot himself, Capitol police chief Kim Dine said, according to CNN.

Dine said there was "no nexus to terrorism" apparent so far in this incident.

The shooter had a backpack and a rolling suitcase that the authorities considered suspicious and the lockdown was put in place as the baggages were being investigated, Capitol Police said.

The shooter carried a sign with a message on social justice, authorities said. According to a witness, it also said something about taxing the "one percent".

Many tourists were at the scene during the incident and showed photos and videos to investigating officers.

The members of the Capitol police, who responded to the shooting, did not have to fire their weapons, Dine said.

After the suspicious packages were examined, the lockdown was lifted around 3.50 p.m. and pedestrian traffic was allowed.

The US Congress has been on spring break for two weeks and lawmakers are set to return to work on Monday.