Everything We Know about the U.S. Capitol Shooter

On Monday, a man walked into the U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center pulled out a gun and was shot by a U.S. Capitol police officer. Prior to previous reports, an officer was not wounded in the shooting but a female bystander was injured in the incident. Here is everything we know about the shooting and the shooter.

Larry Russell Dawson, is a 66-year-old pastor from Antioch, Tennessee. He presides over the St. Luke’s Community Church in Nashville and was arrested and charged with the shooting on Monday. According to The Washington Post, Dawson was issued a stay away order after he interrupted a 2015 House of Representatives session, yelling, that he was “a prophet of God.” According to the arrest documents viewed by NBC Washington, “Dawson was removed from gallery and, while being removed from the building, pushed a police officer and began to run. He was caught and charged with assault on a police officer.” Dawson wrote a letter to federal court protesting the stay away order claiming that as  “true prophet of God” he didn’t have to follow the law.

“Therefore, I will not comply with the court order, nor will I surrender myself unto your office. No longer will I let myself be governed by flesh and blood, but only by the Divine Love of God!!!” he wrote.

What Happened at the U.S. Capitol on Monday?

According to several reports, Dawson walked into the visitor’s center around 2:40 p.m. took out what appeared to be a gun as he walked through the security line and began pointing it. Officers immediately began telling guests to “get down,” according to the Post. One officer reportedly opened fire on Dawson who was hit. He was taken to a local hospital where is reported to be in stable but critical condition. Dawson has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a police officer while armed, NBC News reports. NBC News is also reporting that Dawson was armed with a pellet gun.

Dawson is no stranger to Congress

Before his 2015 outburst, Dawson has attempted to raise money to come to Washington, D.C. to advocate to Congress for a minimum wage increase to $15. The website claims that Dawson had been to D.C. at least three times pushing for higher minimum wage.

Dawson wrote on the church’s website:

“THE MOVEMENT NOW IS TO GET THE U.S.CONGRESS TO RAISE THE MINMUN WAGE FROM $7.25 TO $15.00.”

I HAVE BEEN TO WASHINGTON, DC. THREE (3) TIMES THIS YEAR PUSHING FOR A RAISE IN THE MINMUM WAGE.

“WE ASK YOU TO HELP US, BY GIVING A DONATION OF ANY AMOUNT, AS WE BEGAN OUR MINISTRY. AND PUSH FOR THE RAISE IN THE MINMUM WAGE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN YOUR GIVING.”

Dawson’s daughter, Kristie Holliman, told the Post that she had no idea why her father was in D.C. at the time of the shooting. “I’m just trying to figure out what happened,” she said.

Read more at The Washington Post and NBC Washington. 

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