Washington (Washington Insider Magazine) – According to sources close to the situation, a military parachute show starring the Army Golden Knights in Washington’s Nationals Park Wednesday night mistakenly triggered a “probable threat” alert at the US Capitol and led to an evacuation order.
The event was reportedly part of a military appreciation night presented by the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. After lowering streamers to assess the wind, a Golden Knights pilot informed the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport air traffic control tower of their intention to drop the skydivers, including the specific direction they planned to fly.
The US Capitol Police had allegedly not been informed.
The Capitol Police Force reacted quickly to evacuate the site, blaring a piercing alert across the Capitol and nearby office buildings. Authorities went door to door inside the building to ensure that individuals who were inside were exiting as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, sirens blared as Capitol Police escorted evacuation workers and intrigued tourists away from the location. Everyone was pushed out beyond the Capitol Square’s office towers on both sides, according to CNN.
The aircraft in question was seen in the sky above Washington, making a leisurely loop above the city, as onlookers waiting for explanations directed to the skydivers landing at Nationals Park a few steps down South Capitol Street.
The Capitol Police reported there was no danger around 20 minutes later.
Later, Capitol Police reported that all congressional facilities have resumed, and that they are currently working with their local, state, and federal partners to gather further information.
The Federal Aviation Administration vowed a “thorough and expeditious review” of the event in a statement issued late Wednesday night.
The Army is also reviewing, according to Kelli LeGaspi, a spokesperson for the US Army Recruiting Command.
The FAA was criticized by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
At the Capitol, similar security alerts occur on a regular basis. After a single-engine aircraft ventured into restricted airspace during April 2009, the Capitol was momentarily evacuated and the White House was also temporarily locked down.
In January 2011, it was evacuated after a commercial plane mistakenly entered restricted airspace.
Image via CNN
