Man fatally shoots himself near U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON (KABC) -- A man fatally shot himself near the U.S. Capitol building Saturday, prompting an investigation of a suspicious package and the building to be placed on lockdown.

Capitol Police said the man walked towards the Lower West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol shortly after 1:05 p.m. before he shot himself near the West Front of the building. He was wearing a blue backpack and had a sign taped to his hand. A suitcase was also found nearby.

The man appeared to have been "neutralized" by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. Multiple law enforcement and emergency service agencies responded to the scene.

Bomb technicians investigated the suitcase, which was on the lower west terrace of the building.

The Capitol building was on lockdown as a precautionary measure, according to Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider. The lockdown was lifted shortly before 4 p.m.

No one was allowed to enter or exit the building and the visitors center. The West Front remained closed until further notice.

It was unclear why the man shot himself. An investigation into the death was underway.

The Associated Press and ABC News contributed to this report.