Washington, Mar 29 (EFE).– Two suspicious packages found Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol forced police to evacuate a group of tourists and close off streets through the area, a congressional security spokesperson told EFE.

The incident occurred after on Monday a man entered the Congressional Visitor Center, pulled out a pistol and caused chaos by pointing it at one of the officers directing tourists through scanners and metal detectors.

Another security officer shot the intruder, who underwent surgery for his wounds at a local hospital and is now under arrest.

The Visitors Center closed early on Monday, but on Tuesday it was to keep to its regular schedule: 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Shortly after opening its doors, however, Capitol Police found a package that apparently did not belong to anyone and, as a precaution, decided to evacuate a sizable group of tourists who were waiting outside the Visitors Center.

A second package was found near the Thomas Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress, police said in a statement.

The police closed streets around the Capitol for some 45 minutes, according to what security forces at the Senate reported on their Twitter account.

Authorities are currently investigating the origin and characteristics of the packages, about which they provided no further details.

Congress is on its Easter recess and will not resume its normal activities until mid-April, however many lawmakers’ offices are continuing their work and portions of the buildings are open to tourists. EFE