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Remembering the ’98 Capitol shooting (Photos)

Will Vitka | will.vitka@wtop.com

July 24, 2018, 8:02 AM

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WASHINGTON — Twenty years ago, on July 24, 1998, a gunman burst into the U.S. Capitol, killing two police officers and wounding a female tourist before being shot and captured.

The shooter, Russell Eugene Weston Jr., is still being held in a federal mental facility for paranoid schizophrenia.

Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson were the men killed by Weston. Chestnut was killed instantly and Gibson died later during surgery at George Washington University Hospital.

Both officers were laid in honor in the U.S. Capitol rotunda.

Chestnut was the first African American to receive the honor.

See photos below.

An unidentified victim is rushed to a helicopter on Capitol Hill Friday, July 24, 1998 in Washington. Two policemen, a female tourist and a suspected gunman were wounded late Friday afternoon in an exchange of gunfire inside the Capitol at the office of Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, officials said. The shootings on the first floor of the Capitol building occurred about 3:40 p.m. EDT, with the House in session and the Senate just finished for the day. The historic white-domed building was filled with tourists. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette)
An unidentified victim is rushed to a helicopter on Capitol Hill Friday, July 24, 1998 in Washington. Two policemen, a female tourist and a suspected gunman were wounded late Friday afternoon in an exchange of gunfire inside the Capitol at the office of Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, officials said. The shootings on the first floor of the Capitol building occurred about 3:40 p.m. EDT, with the House in session and the Senate just finished for the day. The historic white-domed building was filled with tourists. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette)
AP Photo/Joe Marquette
A U.S. Park Police helicopter lifts off from the grounds of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Friday, July 24, 1998. Two policemen, a female tourist and a suspected gunman were wounded in an exchange of gunfire after a gunman opened fire inside the Capitol building. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
A U.S. Park Police helicopter lifts off from the grounds of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Friday, July 24, 1998. Two policemen, a female tourist and a suspected gunman were wounded in an exchange of gunfire after a gunman opened fire inside the Capitol building. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
AP Photo/Khue Bui
A flag flies at half-staff on Capitol Hill Friday, July 24, 1998 in honor of two Capitol police officers who were killed in a furious exchange of gunfire after a gunman burst through security barriers. A woman tourist was also seriously wounded in the incident and hospitalized for her injuries. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
A flag flies at half-staff on Capitol Hill Friday, July 24, 1998 in honor of two Capitol police officers who were killed in a furious exchange of gunfire after a gunman burst through security barriers. A woman tourist was also seriously wounded in the incident and hospitalized for her injuries. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
AP Photo/Doug Mills
House Speaker Newt Gingrich speaks during a weekly GOP radio address in his Capitol office Saturday, July 25, 1998, in Washington. With a tear running down his right cheek, Gingrich bowed his head in prayer. "Please help this country learn to live with its freedom," he said. Investigators are trying to learn how and why the gunman stormed the Capitol building filled with lawmakers and tourists, and opened fire before being shot and captured. A tourist was wounded in the fire fight. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, Pool)
House Speaker Newt Gingrich speaks during a weekly GOP radio address in his Capitol office Saturday, July 25, 1998, in Washington. With a tear running down his right cheek, Gingrich bowed his head in prayer. “Please help this country learn to live with its freedom,” he said. Investigators are trying to learn how and why the gunman stormed the Capitol building filled with lawmakers and tourists, and opened fire before being shot and captured. A tourist was wounded in the fire fight. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, Pool)
AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, Pool
A Capitol Hill police officer stands watch in front of the U. S. Capitol Sunday, July 26, 1998 in Washington as visitors wait to enter the building. Two officers were killed and a tourist wounded during a brief shooting spree in the building on Friday, July 24, 1998. The tourist has been released from the hospital and the suspect in the shootings remains hospitalized in serious condition after being shot by police. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
A Capitol Hill police officer stands watch in front of the U. S. Capitol Sunday, July 26, 1998 in Washington as visitors wait to enter the building. Two officers were killed and a tourist wounded during a brief shooting spree in the building on Friday, July 24, 1998. The tourist has been released from the hospital and the suspect in the shootings remains hospitalized in serious condition after being shot by police. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
AP Photo/Khue Bui
Capitol police officer Heidi Milhan, left, is comforted by an unidentified Capitol Hill visitor near flowers placed on the steps of the Capitol Monday, July 27,1998, in honor of two Capitol police officers who were shot and killed. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
Capitol police officer Heidi Milhan, left, is comforted by an unidentified Capitol Hill visitor near flowers placed on the steps of the Capitol Monday, July 27,1998, in honor of two Capitol police officers who were shot and killed. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
AP Photo/Khue Bui
President Clinton, Sen. Pete Domenici, R-NM, left, and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-NM, right, bow their heads during a moment of silence in honor of the two policemen killed in the Capitol shooting before the start of the third national ``town hall'' on Social Security reform at the University of New Mexico Monday, July 27, 1998 in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Greg Gibson)
President Clinton, Sen. Pete Domenici, R-NM, left, and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-NM, right, bow their heads during a moment of silence in honor of the two policemen killed in the Capitol shooting before the start of the third national “town hall” on Social Security reform at the University of New Mexico Monday, July 27, 1998 in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Greg Gibson)
AP Photo/Greg Gibson
Tourists walk through the Rotunda of the U. S. Capitol Monday, July 27, 1998, where the bodies of Capitol police officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut will lie in honor Tuesday. The two officers were killed July 24 after a gunman opened fire in the Capitol. Russell Weston Jr. was charged with one count of killing a federal officer. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette)
Tourists walk through the Rotunda of the U. S. Capitol Monday, July 27, 1998, where the bodies of Capitol police officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut will lie in honor Tuesday. The two officers were killed July 24 after a gunman opened fire in the Capitol. Russell Weston Jr. was charged with one count of killing a federal officer. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette)
AP Photo/Joe Marquette
Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn. pauses at flowers on the steps of the Capitol Monday, July 27, 1998, placed there in honor of two Capitol police officers who were shot and killed Friday inside the Capitol. Frist, a heart surgeon, is credited with saving the suspect, Russell Eugene Weston Jr.'s life. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn. pauses at flowers on the steps of the Capitol Monday, July 27, 1998, placed there in honor of two Capitol police officers who were shot and killed Friday inside the Capitol. Frist, a heart surgeon, is credited with saving the suspect, Russell Eugene Weston Jr.’s life. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
AP Photo/Khue Bui
A hearse carring the body of fallen Capitol Police Officer Jacob J. Chesnut arrives at the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol early Tuesday morning, July 28, 1998. Chestnut and fellow officer John Gibson will be honored Tuesday in the Rotunda of the Capitol by members of Congress and President Clinton. The two were killed last Friday when alleged assailant Russell Watson burst into the Capitol shooting them both. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
A hearse carring the body of fallen Capitol Police Officer Jacob J. Chesnut arrives at the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol early Tuesday morning, July 28, 1998. Chestnut and fellow officer John Gibson will be honored Tuesday in the Rotunda of the Capitol by members of Congress and President Clinton. The two were killed last Friday when alleged assailant Russell Watson burst into the Capitol shooting them both. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
AP Photo/Stephan Savoia
President Clinton pauses after laying a wreath at the caskets of Capitol officers Jacob J. Chestnut and John Gibson during a Congressional tribute at the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday, July 28, 1998, in Washington. (AP Photo/Win McNamee, Pool)
President Clinton pauses after laying a wreath at the caskets of Capitol officers Jacob J. Chestnut and John Gibson during a Congressional tribute at the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday, July 28, 1998, in Washington. (AP Photo/Win McNamee, Pool)
AP Photo/Win McNamee, Pool
Capitol police officers march on Capitol Hill Tuesday, July 28, 1998 prior to a memorial service honoring two slain Capitol police officers. In exceptional homage, members of the public filed noiselessly into the stately Rotunda and around the flag-draped caskets of the two officers who were slain defending the building Friday. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
Capitol police officers march on Capitol Hill Tuesday, July 28, 1998 prior to a memorial service honoring two slain Capitol police officers. In exceptional homage, members of the public filed noiselessly into the stately Rotunda and around the flag-draped caskets of the two officers who were slain defending the building Friday. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
AP Photo/Khue Bui
The coffins of officers Jacob J. Chesnut and John Gibson lie in honor at the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday morning, July 28, 1998, in Washington. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette, Pool)
The coffins of officers Jacob J. Chesnut and John Gibson lie in honor at the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday morning, July 28, 1998, in Washington. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette, Pool)
AP Photo/Joe Marquette, Pool
The view of the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday, July 28, 1998 where the bodies of Capitol Police Officers Jacob Chestnut, left, and John Gibson lie in honor. In exceptional homage, members of the public filed noiselessly into the stately Rotunda and around the flag-draped caskets of the two officers who were slain defending the building Friday. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette/Pool)
The view of the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday, July 28, 1998 where the bodies of Capitol Police Officers Jacob Chestnut, left, and John Gibson lie in honor. In exceptional homage, members of the public filed noiselessly into the stately Rotunda and around the flag-draped caskets of the two officers who were slain defending the building Friday. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette/Pool)
AP Photo/Joe Marquette/Pool
Senate Rules Committee Chairman Sen. John Warner, R-Va. holds the classified Senate Oversight Security plan during a Capitol Hill news conference Wednesday July 29, 1998 to discuss Capitol Security measures. Warner's committee oversees activities on the Capitol grounds. Republican leaders would like to push legislation through Congress this year for a new Capitol visitors center, after two fallen police officers who died protecting the building. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette)
Senate Rules Committee Chairman Sen. John Warner, R-Va. holds the classified Senate Oversight Security plan during a Capitol Hill news conference Wednesday July 29, 1998 to discuss Capitol Security measures. Warner’s committee oversees activities on the Capitol grounds. Republican leaders would like to push legislation through Congress this year for a new Capitol visitors center, after two fallen police officers who died protecting the building. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette)
AP Photo/Joe Marquette
A hearse carring the body of fallen Capitol Police officer John Gibson turns off Memorial Drive and into Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., during his funeral procession Thursday, July 30, 1998. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
A hearse carring the body of fallen Capitol Police officer John Gibson turns off Memorial Drive and into Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., during his funeral procession Thursday, July 30, 1998. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
AP Photo/Stephan Savoia
Evelyn Gibson, the wife of slain Capitol Hill police officer John Gibson, holds a rose as an American flag is folded to be presented to her Thursday July 30, 1998 at graveside ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Gibson and fellow Capitol Hill police officer Jacob Chestnut were killed on Friday July 24, 1998 when a gunman burst into the Capitol. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
Evelyn Gibson, the wife of slain Capitol Hill police officer John Gibson, holds a rose as an American flag is folded to be presented to her Thursday July 30, 1998 at graveside ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Gibson and fellow Capitol Hill police officer Jacob Chestnut were killed on Friday July 24, 1998 when a gunman burst into the Capitol. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
AP Photo/Doug Mills
Capitol Police Chief Gary Abrecht presents the flag that draped the casket of Capitol police officer Jacob Chestnut to his widow Wendy Chestnut during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Friday, July 31,1998. Chestnut, along with fellow officer John Gibson were shot and killed last week when a gunman burst through a security barrier on Capitol Hill. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
Capitol Police Chief Gary Abrecht presents the flag that draped the casket of Capitol police officer Jacob Chestnut to his widow Wendy Chestnut during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Friday, July 31,1998. Chestnut, along with fellow officer John Gibson were shot and killed last week when a gunman burst through a security barrier on Capitol Hill. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
AP Photo/Doug Mills
(1/18)
An unidentified victim is rushed to a helicopter on Capitol Hill Friday, July 24, 1998 in Washington. Two policemen, a female tourist and a suspected gunman were wounded late Friday afternoon in an exchange of gunfire inside the Capitol at the office of Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, officials said. The shootings on the first floor of the Capitol building occurred about 3:40 p.m. EDT, with the House in session and the Senate just finished for the day. The historic white-domed building was filled with tourists. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette)
A U.S. Park Police helicopter lifts off from the grounds of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Friday, July 24, 1998. Two policemen, a female tourist and a suspected gunman were wounded in an exchange of gunfire after a gunman opened fire inside the Capitol building. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
A flag flies at half-staff on Capitol Hill Friday, July 24, 1998 in honor of two Capitol police officers who were killed in a furious exchange of gunfire after a gunman burst through security barriers. A woman tourist was also seriously wounded in the incident and hospitalized for her injuries. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
House Speaker Newt Gingrich speaks during a weekly GOP radio address in his Capitol office Saturday, July 25, 1998, in Washington. With a tear running down his right cheek, Gingrich bowed his head in prayer. "Please help this country learn to live with its freedom," he said. Investigators are trying to learn how and why the gunman stormed the Capitol building filled with lawmakers and tourists, and opened fire before being shot and captured. A tourist was wounded in the fire fight. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, Pool)
A Capitol Hill police officer stands watch in front of the U. S. Capitol Sunday, July 26, 1998 in Washington as visitors wait to enter the building. Two officers were killed and a tourist wounded during a brief shooting spree in the building on Friday, July 24, 1998. The tourist has been released from the hospital and the suspect in the shootings remains hospitalized in serious condition after being shot by police. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
Capitol police officer Heidi Milhan, left, is comforted by an unidentified Capitol Hill visitor near flowers placed on the steps of the Capitol Monday, July 27,1998, in honor of two Capitol police officers who were shot and killed. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
President Clinton, Sen. Pete Domenici, R-NM, left, and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-NM, right, bow their heads during a moment of silence in honor of the two policemen killed in the Capitol shooting before the start of the third national ``town hall'' on Social Security reform at the University of New Mexico Monday, July 27, 1998 in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Greg Gibson)
Tourists walk through the Rotunda of the U. S. Capitol Monday, July 27, 1998, where the bodies of Capitol police officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut will lie in honor Tuesday. The two officers were killed July 24 after a gunman opened fire in the Capitol. Russell Weston Jr. was charged with one count of killing a federal officer. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette)
Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn. pauses at flowers on the steps of the Capitol Monday, July 27, 1998, placed there in honor of two Capitol police officers who were shot and killed Friday inside the Capitol. Frist, a heart surgeon, is credited with saving the suspect, Russell Eugene Weston Jr.'s life. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
A hearse carring the body of fallen Capitol Police Officer Jacob J. Chesnut arrives at the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol early Tuesday morning, July 28, 1998. Chestnut and fellow officer John Gibson will be honored Tuesday in the Rotunda of the Capitol by members of Congress and President Clinton. The two were killed last Friday when alleged assailant Russell Watson burst into the Capitol shooting them both. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
President Clinton pauses after laying a wreath at the caskets of Capitol officers Jacob J. Chestnut and John Gibson during a Congressional tribute at the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday, July 28, 1998, in Washington. (AP Photo/Win McNamee, Pool)
Capitol police officers march on Capitol Hill Tuesday, July 28, 1998 prior to a memorial service honoring two slain Capitol police officers. In exceptional homage, members of the public filed noiselessly into the stately Rotunda and around the flag-draped caskets of the two officers who were slain defending the building Friday. (AP Photo/Khue Bui)
The coffins of officers Jacob J. Chesnut and John Gibson lie in honor at the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday morning, July 28, 1998, in Washington. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette, Pool)
The view of the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday, July 28, 1998 where the bodies of Capitol Police Officers Jacob Chestnut, left, and John Gibson lie in honor. In exceptional homage, members of the public filed noiselessly into the stately Rotunda and around the flag-draped caskets of the two officers who were slain defending the building Friday. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette/Pool)
Senate Rules Committee Chairman Sen. John Warner, R-Va. holds the classified Senate Oversight Security plan during a Capitol Hill news conference Wednesday July 29, 1998 to discuss Capitol Security measures. Warner's committee oversees activities on the Capitol grounds. Republican leaders would like to push legislation through Congress this year for a new Capitol visitors center, after two fallen police officers who died protecting the building. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette)
A hearse carring the body of fallen Capitol Police officer John Gibson turns off Memorial Drive and into Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., during his funeral procession Thursday, July 30, 1998. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Evelyn Gibson, the wife of slain Capitol Hill police officer John Gibson, holds a rose as an American flag is folded to be presented to her Thursday July 30, 1998 at graveside ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Gibson and fellow Capitol Hill police officer Jacob Chestnut were killed on Friday July 24, 1998 when a gunman burst into the Capitol. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
Capitol Police Chief Gary Abrecht presents the flag that draped the casket of Capitol police officer Jacob Chestnut to his widow Wendy Chestnut during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Friday, July 31,1998. Chestnut, along with fellow officer John Gibson were shot and killed last week when a gunman burst through a security barrier on Capitol Hill. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
Will Vitka

William Vitka is a Digital Writer/Editor for WTOP.com. He's been in the news industry for over a decade. Before joining WTOP, he worked for CBS News, Stuff Magazine, The New York Post and wrote a variety of books—about a dozen of them, with more to come.

will.vitka@wtop.com

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