A US Capitol police officer was killed and a second injured Friday after a car rammed by safety and crashed right into a barrier on the Washington complicated, forcing it into lockdown lower than three months after a mob assault on Congress.
Capitol Police shot lifeless the motive force after he jumped out of the automotive and lunged at them with a knife, Appearing Chief Yogananda Pittman advised reporters.
No data was out there on the id of the attacker or his motivation. Ms Pittman mentioned there was no current police file on the suspect.
However Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee indicated {that a} terror hyperlink was not suspected at this stage.
“It doesn’t seem like terrorism-related, however clearly we’ll proceed to research,” mentioned Mr Contee.
President Joe Biden mentioned he and First Woman Jill Biden had been “heartbroken” concerning the incident.
The slain officer was recognized by US Capitol Police as William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year veteran of the power.
“Please hold Officer Evans and his household in your ideas and prayers,” Ms Pittman mentioned in an announcement.
Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered flags lowered to half-staff on the Capitol within the sufferer’s honour whereas the Senate’s chief Republican, Mitch McConnell, supplied prayers.
“I am heartbroken for the officer killed in the present day defending our Capitol and for his household. I am praying for the officer injured and his household,” tweeted Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer.
‘Search cowl’
The assault got here as psyches remained scarred and safety tight after the January assault on Congress by lots of of supporters of then-President Donald Trump.
Nationwide Guard troops had been mobilised Friday and workers on the large Capitol complicated ordered to avoid home windows and search cowl after alerts went out over the incident shortly after 1pm native time.
Whereas Congress was on recess for the Easter vacation, textual content messages despatched to staffers nonetheless working inside advised them to keep away from home windows and mentioned nobody may enter or go away the constructing.
“In case you are outdoors, search cowl,” the messages mentioned, whereas tv footage confirmed what seemed to be the injured officers being loaded onto gurneys and into ambulances.
Following the assault, the blue sedan may very well be seen crashed right into a safety barrier on one of many streets resulting in Congress.
Heightened safety after 6 January
Within the 6 January assault, lots of of extremist Trump-backers smashed into the Capitol constructing yelling threats towards politicians and shutting down the legislature.
One Capitol Police officer died on account of the assault, in addition to 4 others people who took half or had been close by.
Since then safety officers have mentioned there’s an ongoing menace from extreme-right teams and Trump supporters.
Greater than 300 folks have been charged within the January assault, together with members of armed extremist teams just like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, and 100 extra are anticipated to be charged, in accordance with Justice Division courtroom filings.
In current weeks some safety across the complicated has been loosened, with the variety of armed Nationwide Guard troops on the Capitol lowered and a safety fence that created a broad perimeter across the Capitol complicated eliminated.
However everlasting limitations stay in place on all of the roadway entrances to the Capitol, well-manned by police and nationwide guard.
“I drive by this checkpoint and wave to the officers guarding it practically day by day that I am in Washington. I am heartbroken to study of an officer’s loss of life in in the present day’s assault,” tweeted Consultant Angie Craig.
Safety officers, together with the Capitol Police and Nationwide Guard, had been faulted for reacting slowly to the crowds who stormed the Capitol on 6 January.
However, Ms Pittman mentioned, in addition they stay on edge. “This has been an especially tough time for the US Capitol police after the occasions of 6 January, and after the occasions which have occurred right here in the present day,” she mentioned.