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A U.S. Capitol policeman was killed and another injured after a man drove a car through a security barricade at the Capitol complex on Friday, Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman said..
The driver was shot after jumping out of the car with a knife and failing to respond to verbal orders and “rush” at officers, Pittman said. The suspect was taken to hospital and pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Four senior law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation identified the suspect as 25-year-old Indiana man Noah Green.
The fallen officer has been identified as William “Billy” Evans. Pittman said he was an 18-year veteran of the Capitol Police and a member of the Capitol Division’s first responder unit.
The extent of the injuries sustained by the second officer was not clear.
“I am simply asking the public to continue to keep the United States Capitol Police and their families in your prayers. It has been an extremely difficult time for the United States Capitol Police after the events of January 6, and now the events that have occurred here today, ”said Pittman.
Robert Contee, acting head of the DC Metropolitan Police Department, said his department would take over the investigation. “It doesn’t appear to be terrorism-related,” Contee said.
Contee and Pittman both said the suspect was not someone previously known to their services.
The attempted breach occurred at the northern barricade vehicle access point around 1 p.m. ET, officials said. The Capitol complex was locked down for about two hours after the incident.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has ordered the Capitol flags to be hoisted halfway up in honor of the fallen officer.
Congress is on spring break for the week, so lawmakers had returned home and were not working in construction.
A strong law enforcement presence quickly descended on the complex, including dozens of National Guard soldiers. Two stretchers were seen taken out of an ambulance and a helicopter landed on the eastern front of the Capitol.
A message sent to congressional offices read: “Due to a threat to external security,” “No entry or exit is permitted at this time. You may move around the building (s), but stay in the building. away from windows and exterior doors. If you are outside, seek shelter. “
Security on Capitol Hill has been stepped up with additional security measures and staff in place since a host of Trump supporters stormed the compound during the Jan. 6 electoral vote count ahead of a joint session of Congress. One officer, Brian Sicknick, died of injuries during the riot and two other officers committed suicide in the weeks following the violence.
This is a developing story, check back for more updates.
Lauren Egan and Tom Winter contributed.
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