A U.S. Capitol Police SWAT team was just blocks from Washington Navy Yard Monday morning during the shootings when they were told to stand down and return to the Capitol, News4's Pat Collins is reporting.
Twelve people were killed in the shootings and eight others wounded. The gunman, 34-year-old Aaron Alexis, was also killed.
Capitol Police confirmed an independent investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding their response to the shootings. The findings will be released by Oct. 21.
"I asked the Capitol Police Board to do an independent fact review of those allegations to find out exactly," Capitol Police Chief Kim Dine told News4 Wednesday. "That morning I was in contact with [DC Police] Chief Lanier and offered assistance."
The gunman was eventually stopped by patrol officers from D.C. Police and U.S. Park Police.
Park Police sent one helicopter to the scene to transfer one shooting victim to the hospital and rescued three people trapped on the roof -- they would have sent another helicopter, but it is temporarily grounded due to budget shortfalls.
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