Gunfire sound heard at US Capitol building garage

WASHINGTON, May 26 (Reuters) US Capitol Police were investigating ''the sound of gunfire'' in the garage of a House of Representatives office building, a police spokesman said today.

The sounds were heard in the garage level of the Rayburn building, which houses offices of members of the US House of Representatives.

The Capitol police spokesman said officers were ''investigating the sound of gunfire.'' Senate Sergeant at Arms Bill Pickle told Reuters there were no reports of any arrests or injuries.

''We have been told by staff of shots fired and the smell of smoke in the lobby of the Rayburn House building,'' Pickle said.

''Police responded to the area where they believed the shots came from and smelled what seemed to be gunpowder,'' he added.

Rep Peter Hoekstra, a Michigan Republican and head of the House intelligence committee, also said there were reports of gunfire and said the office building had been locked down, with no one allowed to enter or leave.

Hoekstra's spokesman, Jamal Ware, said Capitol Police were monitoring the situation. ''We have been asked to close the doors,'' he said.

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