Authorities unable to find gunman reportedly seen at Connecticut Capitol complex

HARTFORD, Conn. - Reports that a gunman was seen in Connecticut&#39;s Capitol complex Wednesday prompted authorities to lock it down as the legislative session got under way.<br> <br> Authorities searched the buildings but didn&#39;t find a gunman or a weapon, said state police spokesman Sgt. Paul Vance.<br> <br> The complex was declared &#34;secure&#34; nearly seven hours after two women told police they saw a man with a weapon on the top level of the Legislative Office Building&#39;s parking garage.<br> <br> &#34;Everyone is confident the scene is secure,&#34; Vance said. &#34;Everything is in the process of being opened and will be back to normal in a short time.&#34;<br> <br> The reports came shortly after the General Assembly opened its 2002 session with a speech by Gov. John G. Rowland. Hundreds more people than usual were in the Capitol for the speech and the start of the session.<br> <br> The state Supreme Court building across from the Capitol was closed, as were surrounding streets and a nearby interstate exit.<br> <br> Police herded people from the Legislative Office Building into the adjacent Capitol through an underground walkway as state and local police searched the area. A state police helicopter hovered over the building for hours.<br> <br> &#34;It&#39;s not an overreaction,&#34; said Rep. Patrick Flaherty. &#34;This is a symbolic building, which does mean it&#39;s a potential target.&#34; <br> <br>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/2/203140