The Democratic National Committee's headquarters in Washington was placed on lockdown Thursday as Capitol Police responded to an "incident," an urgent alert to staff said.
The alert, seen by reporters, told staff members to "remain clear of the police activity" while officers were on the scene. The lockdown came after a separate shooting earlier Thursday that involved conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, according to multiple accounts.
Capitol Police officers were described as swarming the DNC building in the downtown Washington complex as the response unfolded. Authorities had not immediately released further details about the nature of the incident at the time the alert circulated.
The development came amid heightened security concerns in Washington following the earlier shooting tied to Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and commentator. Local and federal authorities were coordinating in the area, according to sources familiar with the response who were not authorized to speak publicly and declined to be named.
The DNC did not immediately provide an on-the-record statement to reporters. Capitol Police and other agencies working the scene had not published a public briefing at the time of the alert.
Law enforcement responses to incidents at party headquarters are uncommon and typically prompt swift public-safety measures, including temporary evacuations or lockdowns, while officers secure perimeters and assess threats. The DNC building sits in a busy area of the city and often hosts staff, visitors and events, which can complicate immediate assessments and communications during active incidents.
This is a developing story. Further information, including any official statements from Capitol Police, the DNC or investigators, and details about the earlier shooting involving Charlie Kirk, were expected to be released as authorities complete their on-scene work and brief the public. The report was first published at 18:40 BST on Sept. 11, 2025.