Washington: Pro-Donald Trump protesters on Wednesday stormed the US Capitol, leading to a lockdown at the building.
The mob clashed with police on the US Capitol grounds and entered the building.
Protests raged as lawmakers were formally certifying US President-elect Joe Biden’s win in the 3 November election.
A person was shot in the chaos, a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said.
CNN reported the victim is a woman.
The exact circumstances for the shooting were unclear, though the person said the victim was taken to a hospital.
The Senate and the House of Representatives went into recess abruptly.
Vice president Mike Pence, who presided over the opening of the joint session of Congress, formally certified Biden’s win when a group of Republican lawmakers challenged the results.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell objected to the challenge and said, “If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral.”
The US Constitution does not give Pence the power to overturn the results, but he is under pressure from Trump.
While Pence cold-shouldered the president’s demand to overturn his loss to Biden, the Senate’s Republican leader stalled similar efforts in Congress.
Biden, 78, was confirmed the winner by the Electoral College on 14 December after all 50 states officially certified the results.
Biden collected 306 electoral votes against 232 for Trump. To win, a contender must win 270 out of 538 Electoral College votes.
The US Congress met on Wednesday to formally certify the Biden’s win.
The presidential inauguration is set for 20 January.
Trump, meanwhile asked the protesters who stormed Capitol to “Stay peaceful”.
Trump tweeted the comments after the protesters breached the Capitol building.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump had repeated his false claims that his loss was due to vote fraud at a rally held near White House.
Trump encouraged protesters to rally to the Capitol building and support legislators planning to object to some Electoral College votes.
Photo by Martin Falbisoner/Wikimedia Common