DC-Cannon House Bldg on lockdown-MSNBC [Update: gun was plastic]

MSNBC | 10/30/03 | MSNBC

[Diddle E. Squat]

Ever consider that I was typing what I was hearing from the live TV coverage?

Facts and rumors often get intermixed on a breaking story.

[GOPcapitalist]

Roll Call confirms it was two female staffers for Shimkus:

http://www.rollcall.com/pub/1_1/breakingnews/3410-1.html

[Dr. Eckleburg]

It was a straight question. I did the same thing; posted what I was hearing on the news.

I don't have any answer how so many early reports could be so consistently off.

[StriperSniper]

probably from a NJ college.

Speaking of, did you see this letter:

Hunting bears kills a part of us

Un-freakin-believeable, Huh?

[Diddle E. Squat]

OK, I understand now. It was probably like that old game where one person whispers something into the next person's ear, and the rumor gets more and more twisted the further down the chain it gets. Reporter gets bits and pieces from dozens of persons who got bits and pieces for dozens of persons, etc.

[auzerais]

From Drudge:

Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill) has issued an apology indicating that two members of his staff were involved in today's weapon scare at the Cannon House Office building. The weapon turned out to be a toy ---after a security lockdown at the Cannon Bldg....

The Shimkus statement on paper calls this "an unfortunate Halloween misunderstanding," and says it occurred as a result of "my staff's efforts to put together a Halloween costume during their lunch hour."

He says the "staffers wish to convey their deepest regrets to all Members. fellow staff, and visitors to Washington who were inconvenienced by this incident."

[OldFriend]

Am glad it was a republican's staff. It would have been quite a problem for a dem who would never have staff that would even touch a toy gun!!!

[abigailsmybaby]

No. It causes preppy terrorists.