Jamaal Bowman criminally charged in Capitol Hill fire alarm incident

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Rep. Bowman caused panic, wasted resources by pulling fire alarm, retired deputy sheriff says

Retired Deputy Sheriff Joy Farrow co-authored ‘Street Smart Safety for Women.’

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., has been charged for allegedly pulling a fire alarm in a House of Representatives building ahead of a critical vote last month to avert a government shutdown.

Bowman was charged with falsely pulling a fire alarm Wednesday afternoon, and his arraignment is scheduled for Thursday morning.

An arrest warrant filed by U.S. Capitol Police Supervisory Special Agent Joseph McAtee says police were notified on Sept. 30 at 12:05 p.m. that a fire alarm had been pulled inside the Cannon House Office Building on the second floor.

When Bowman was interviewed by Capitol Police agents, he told them he responded "yes" when asked if he knew anything about the fire alarm. The Democratic representative said he was in a rush because votes were being called, adding that the door is usually open.

PROGRESSIVE 'SQUAD' DEMOCRAT ACCUSED OF PULLING FIRE ALARM AMID TENSE SHUTDOWN TALKS

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on May 25, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Bowman, according to the arrest warrant, told the agents he saw the nearby doors with a sign that said, "emergency exit only push to open," so "he pushed on the door and pulled the lever next to it, which must have been the alarm." 

"[Bowman] advised that usually when votes are called, all doors are open, and that door is usually open (the second-floor door leading to Independence Ave). The defendant further stated that this door was a usual door he uses. The defendant advised that he then went to a Dem (Democratic) meeting and a vote at the Capitol, then the House Sergeant at Arms contacted him," the warrant states.

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Bowman told the agent he didn’t intend to pull a fire alarm and didn’t intend to disrupt or obstruct a congressional proceeding, then stated that he needed to get a lawyer and wouldn't make any further statements.

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Bowman allegedly pulled the alarm as Republicans began voting on a stopgap bill to avert a government shutdown. (U.S. Capitol Police)

The agent wrote in the arrest warrant there was a sign next to the door that said "Emergency Exit Only," adding that the fire alarm had lettering that said, "FIRE. Push in Pull Down." Security camera footage reviewed by Capitol Police allegedly revealed that Bowman attempted to open both doors before pulling the fire alarm, then walked away.

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Bowman told Fox News after being charged he's "happy for the quick resolution," adding that he has a plea agreement with prosecutors.

According to Bowman, the plea agreement requires him to pay a $1,000 fine and "stay out of trouble for three months."

"It was a lapse of judgment if you will. … Wasn't a conscious decision to do something wrong," he said.

Bowman told Fox News after being charged he's "happy for the quick resolution," adding that he has a plea agreement with prosecutors. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via Getty)

At the time of the incident, Bowman's chief of staff wrote on X that "Congressman Bowman did not realize he would trigger a building alarm as he was rushing to make an urgent vote. The Congressman regrets any confusion."