Police declare Capitol Hill clear after bomb threat standoff

It was not immediately clear if Roseberry's vehicle contained explosive devices. Manger stated that the area would remain active for several more hours while officials investigated whether the truck contained explosive devices or other deadly weaponry.
We are not aware if the vehicle contains explosives. Manger said that the scene is still active on Thursday afternoon. We have to still search the vehicle and make it safe.

Around 4:45 PM, authorities gave the all-clear at Cannon House Office Building

Manger stated that there was no evidence Roseberry was acting in concert with others, and that law enforcement officials don't have any reason to believe that there are additional explosive devices within the city. Roseberry had earlier posted on social media that there were four more explosive devices in the area. However, the police chiefs have not provided any additional information.

According to Manger, Roseberrys criminal history was not that severe. He said that law enforcement officials were still trying find a motive.

Manger stated that we know Mr. Roseberry has suffered some family losses. We spoke to his family members and learned that his mother passed away recently. We'll have more to say about that in the future.

Roseberrys surrender came after five hours of intense negotiations between Roseberrys and law enforcement officials, including Capitol Police, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

We tried to negotiate with Mr. Roseberry over the course of several months. The first time we tried to do that was with a whiteboard. We just wrote messages back and forth. Manger explained to reporters that we used a robot to bring a telephone to him but he refused to use it.

He surrendered to us shortly after we handed him the phone. The tactical units nearby took him into custody immediately.

Roseberry uploaded several videos from his truck to social media while police tried to negotiate with him. The videos were viewed by POLITICO and included anti-government views, accusations of Democrats, and a demand to speak to President Joe Biden. According to North Carolina voter records, Roseberry was a registered Republican.

Facebook removed Roseberrys profile but only after Roseberry was permitted to livestream from his truck while he held an explosive device in his hand.

Manger had faced the threat in his first weeks as a chief. The Jan. 6 insurrection, multiple incidents and the subsequent panic attacks on the force left Manger as chief. Many officers left the force, while others struggled to deal with the aftermath of the fatal attack. One officer was killed in the days following Jan. 6, and another committed suicide. Another officer was killed in April after a man attempted to use a vehicle for attacking the Capitol.

Manger had promised to turn the page. He stated that it was his priority for officers to be retained and to hold more briefings with journalists. He was joined by other law enforcement officers and briefed media twice during the bomb threat. The media received information via social media, a marked change from Jan. 6, which had not provided any details about the attack.

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, thanked the Capitol Police for their safety and all other law enforcement agencies.

She said that Congress was grateful to all law enforcement officers for their sacrifices today and every day to keep the Capitol Complex safe.

Police evacuated many buildings around the Capitol complex during the standoff out of an abundance caution. The House is not due to return for voting until Monday, so most, if not all, of the lawmakers are now out of the building.

Many Hill staffers felt that the emergency alerts heightened anxiety for those who were in the building during the Jan. 6 riots. There are still some security questions on campus. Both the DNC and RNC were hit with pipe bombs on Jan. 6, which was the party's campaign headquarters. However, the perpetrator wasn't caught.

Some Capitol Hill staff members and Library of Congress staff were on-site when evacuations started. However, it is not clear how many staffers were there. Many offices allow their staff to work remotely. In the midst of the police investigation, some congressional offices that had been working in-person decided to send their staff home on Thursday afternoon.

Staffers were first alerted by Capitol Police to the threat of a suspicious vehicle shortly after 9:30 AM Eastern. Staff were instructed to "remain calm" and to evacuate Cannon House Office Building.

The Jefferson and Cannon buildings had staff members told to use underground tunnels for their travels. Those in other buildings were also instructed to avoid external doors and windows. The Library of Congress extended Madison building staff was also instructed to evacuate.

As the investigation was continuing, Metro trains bypassed Capitol South station. While they dealt with the threat, Capitol Police moved the press to the opposite side. Drivers were directed to avoid the streets leading up Capitol Hill by officers. Some blocks surrounding the Capitol were also blocked off with dump trucks in an attempt to stop cars from passing.

Capitol police responded to a suspicious package found near the Library of Congress earlier in the week, but road closures were not enforced and the investigation was completed in under an hour.

Katherine Tully McManus contributed to the report