DC police say 4 dead, 52 arrested after violent pro-Trump riots on Capitol Hill

Agents with the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department said Wednesday that 4 people had died in violent riots at the U.S. Capitol. Meanwhile, the office of DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced an extension of an emergency order in the city that is not expected to expire until after opening day.

At the apparent request of President Donald Trump, rioters descended on the Capitol building on Wednesday in an attempt to disrupt Congressional certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory at the Electoral College. An unknown number of rioters stormed the Capitol rotunda and gained access to the offices of some lawmakers. At a press conference on Wednesday, DC Police Chief Robert Contee said not only people had been arrested, but 4 people had died during the riots.

Contee noted that a woman whose identity has not been disclosed was shot dead by a Capitol policeman. The individual was “taken to a local hospital where, after all rescue efforts failed, she was announced dead.”

Contee added that the shooting was under investigation by the Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division, “as we investigate all deaths committed by officers in the District of Columbia, including those of others. agencies “.

Three other people – a woman and two men – suffered “from separate medical emergencies which resulted in their deaths,” Contee said.

More than 52 arrests have been made, including 47 violations of the city-wide curfew enacted by Mayor Bowser on Wednesday. On Wednesday evening, Bowser’s office released a statement announcing the extension of the city’s emergency order.

“The First Amendment protests have turned violent,” the statement said. “Many people have come to the district armed and with the aim of engaging in violence and destruction and engaging in violence and destruction. They fired chemical irritants, bricks, bottles and guns. They violated the security of the Capitol and their destruction and rioting behavior has the potential to spread beyond the Capitol. “

“Their motivation is permanent,” the statement continued. Today they have sought to disrupt congressional procedures for accepting electoral college votes. President Trump continues to spark anger and violence by claiming that the presidential election was invalid. People are dissatisfied with court rulings and state election commission findings, and some people can be expected to continue their violent protests during the inauguration. “

Under Bowser’s emergency order, authorities are allowed to “disconnect, suspend or shut down utilities,” change hours of operation or prevent people from traveling if a curfew is imposed and “exercise operational discretion over all government departments in the district ”.

Newsweek contacted the office of Washington, DC Attorney General Karl Racine for comment.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Biden is expected to be sworn in as the next US president on January 20. According to Biden’s inauguration planning team, the celebration will take place in a virtual format. “The parade will celebrate American heroes, spotlight Americans of all walks of life in different states and regions, and reflect on the country’s diversity, heritage and resilience as we embark on a new American era,” a press release from the President Inauguration Committee.