U.S. Capitol Police ordered an evacuation of Capitol Hill on Wednesday after identifying an aircraft hovering over the Washington, D.C., skies as a "probable threat."
The aircraft turned out to be a military plane delivering skydivers to Nationals Park for a demonstration before the Nats' matchup with the Diamondbacks.
The Capitol was evacuated out of an abundance of caution this evening.
— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) April 20, 2022
There is no threat at the Capitol.
More details to come. pic.twitter.com/7qqxqQyzlD
According to The Washington Post's Jesse Dougherty, the divers were members of the U.S. Army's parachute team, also known as the Golden Knights. The Nationals appeared to enlist their services for a demonstration on Military Appreciation Day.
It is Military Appreciation Day at Nationals Park, which included the United States Army Parachute Team, nicknamed the Golden Knights, parachuting out of a plane and onto the outfield. I believe six members parachuted down.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) April 20, 2022
Capitol Police apparently didn't get the memo. Officials told The Associated Press that the aircraft that dropped the skydivers, a military plane that had taken off from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, had failed to get proper clearance before takeoff.
Capitol Police sent an alert to congressional staffers after identifying the aircraft as a "probable threat," The Associated Press reported. Staffers fled to the streets around 6:30 p.m. ET. The confusion on Capitol Hill was brief as the situation was resolved quickly.
