WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) was returning to his office in the Hart Senate Office Building from the U.S. Capitol. Walking outdoors alongside Constitution Avenue with Senators Robert P. Casey (D-PA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), he saw police cars rushing by, heard what sounded like shots fired, and was instructed by a Capitol Police officer to take cover behind parked cars. After a few minutes, he was instructed by Capitol Police officers to return to the Capitol Building. In response to today’s events, Brown issued the following statement:

“Today was another reminder of the bravery of police officers and first responders.  I observed Capitol Police officers rushing towards danger while instructing the rest of us to take cover. I thank them and their families for their sacrifice and my thoughts and prayers go out for their safety.”

Brown’s verbal account of today’s incident via mp4 can be downloaded on www.brown.senate.gov