The Republican National Committee’s (RNC) headquarters in Washington, D.C., was placed on lockdown Wednesday, after it received a package containing vials of blood, according to U.S. Capitol Police.
Capitol Police responded around 7:45 a.m. to the RNC headquarters for a report of a suspicious package with two vials of blood inside, authorities confirmed to The Hill.
The building — located on the 300 block of First Street SE — and the surrounding area were blocked from pedestrian traffic while authorities investigated, Capitol Police said.
The hazardous incident response division was called in to clear the package and the contents will be further investigated, Capitol Police added.
D.C. Metro Police and D.C. Fire and Emergency Management Services confirmed their departments both assisted Capitol Police.
The Hill reached out the RNC for further comment.
Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), who serves as the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, told reporters Wednesday he was informed the building has since been cleared.
“A suspicious package was delivered, out of an abundance of caution and following protocol, we called in a hazmat team. I say we … they [RNC officials] called in a hazmat team,” Hudson told The Hill.
It was not immediately clear authorities have identified a suspect or taken anyone in custody.
The Hill’s Mychael Schnell contributed.