Just getting news reports that a bomb squad has detonated a device found in a suspicious car near the U.S. Capitol Building.
Breaking 911 reports:
DC Officials, including the bomb squad, have apparently blown up a device from a ‘suspicious’ vehicle parked near Capitol and a Memorial Day Concert.
The item looks like a pressure cooker and propane tanks have been removed from the car.
Thousands of people eager to get into the National Memorial Day Concert were delayed from entering.
Police are still searching the vehicle.
Jay Korff of the local ABC affiliate is tweeting details:
BREAKING UPDATE: We zoomed in on our @abc7news video & this is what bomb squad blew up near #USCapitol. pic.twitter.com/40vSoVEcbg
— Jay Korff (@ABC7Jay) May 25, 2015
UPDATE: bomb tech also pulled from suspicious car parked near #USCapitol what looks like a propane tank. @ABC7News pic.twitter.com/XXjSuLM6UO
— Jay Korff (@ABC7Jay) May 25, 2015
#BREAKING VIDEO: Bomb squad just blew up something pulled out of unattended car parked near US #Capitol. @abc7news pic.twitter.com/Qt4UYEQldz
— Jay Korff (@ABC7Jay) May 24, 2015
UPDATE: Police confirm item found in car near #USCapitol & blown up was a pressure cooker & was NOT a threat to the public. @ABC7News
— Jay Korff (@ABC7Jay) May 25, 2015
OK then:
https://twitter.com/Breaking911/status/602660241642229761
UPDATE: The plot thickens…
One arrested after bomb squad detonates pressure cooker found in car near US Capitol http://t.co/1IvzeP63Tj pic.twitter.com/FMOrlTBMCJ
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 25, 2015
UPDATE2: The Washington Times identifies the arrested man as Israel Shimlis.
Fox News reports:
The incident began at around 5 p.m. local time, when Capitol police officers on patrol noticed a vehicle they deemed “suspicious” on a street that crosses the National Mall west of the Capitol between Constitution and Independence Avenues. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle contained a pressure cooker and detected an odor of gasoline.
A bomb squad was called in and streets were temporarily closed off. The pressure cooker was detonated at approximately 7:45 p.m. The investigation was closed approximately 35 minutes later with nothing further found.
Senior security officials told Fox News that investigators initially believed that the pressure cooker “might be the real deal.” Pressure cookers have been used in several recent terror attacks, mostly notably the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing that killed three people and injured 260 others.
Sources told Fox News that the pressure cooker may have been part of a propane tank used in a food truck.
MORE: Police detect gas odor before destroying pressure cooker from 'suspicious' vehicle near Capitol: http://t.co/n13Ay9lVze
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 25, 2015
A bomb squad detonated a pressure cooker from a "suspicious" vehicle near the Capitol. http://t.co/etGdAZFyWA pic.twitter.com/2TxX2bE5G5
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) May 25, 2015
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