Two explosions outside Brazil's Supreme Court killed a man and forced judges and staff to evacuate the building on Wednesday in Brasilia.
The Supreme Court said in a statement that two very loud explosions were heard around 7:30 p.m. local time. She added that all judges and staff left the building safely.
Local firefighters confirmed that a man died at the scene, but did not identify him.
Celina Leão, lieutenant governor of Brazil's Federal District, recommended that Congress be closed on Thursday to avoid further risks. She said police believe the deceased man caused the explosions.
“It could be a lone wolf, like we have seen others around the world. We believe it was a suicide because there was only one victim. The investigation will show if this is indeed the case,” Ms. Leão said at a press conference.
Ms. Leão stressed that only forensic medicine will be able to identify the body, which remained in front of the Supreme Court for two hours after the incident.
Local media reported that the two explosions took place 20 seconds apart.
These occurred in Three Powers Square, an area of the capital where Brazil's main government buildings are located, including the Supreme Court, Congress and the Presidential Palace.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was not in the presidential palace at the time of the explosions, said his spokesperson, José Chrispiniano. He was in a meeting at his official residence with the head of the federal police, Andrei Rodrigues, and the judges of the Supreme Court, Alexandre de Moraes and Cristiano Zanin.
Police blocked all access to the area and the presidential security office conducted a sweep of the grounds surrounding the presidential palace.
Brazil's federal police said they were investigating and did not provide a motive.
Earlier, another explosion was heard in the parking lot of the Brazilian Congress. Police said the explosion apparently came from a car, but no one was injured.
Ms Leão said authorities had already identified the owner of the car, but the two incidents could only be linked once the investigation was completed.
In recent years, the Supreme Court has become the target of threats from far-right groups and supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro due to a crackdown on the spread of false information. Judge Alexandre de Moraes, in particular, was the object of their anger.
