Workers in the vicinity of 15th and K are advised to stay inside:

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Sent:  Tuesday, December 21, 2004 8:36 AM

  To:  DC - Personnel

  Subject:   UGENT: ARMED ROBERY

There was an armed robbery at the Rite Aid drug store behind our building, at 15th and L Sts., this morning at approximately 8:00 a.m.  The police have closed off L St. and entry to the surface parking lot behind our building. One of the officers told me the suspects are still at large and believed to be armed and on foot in the neighborhood. Until the situation is resolved it obviously makes sense for all of us to avoid going outside, if possible, and keep your eyes open for unaccompanied  persons you do not recognize in the office.

Uhm, yeah.

UPDATE UPDATE: Wonkette operatives report that the situation downtown does appear to involve hostages. How do they know? "On one truck there is the following sign (this is not a joke). Please Do Not Disturb Negotiation Interview in Progress."

Our boss has one of those.