Car Rams Barricade at U.S. Capitol, Kills Officer
- By Matt Jones
- Apr 02, 2021
A car rammed into two Capitol Police officers at a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Friday afternoon. According to AP News, one of the officers was killed, another was injured, and the driver of the vehicle was shot and killed.
Capitol Police Acting Chief Yognanda Pittman told reporters that the driver exited the vehicle with a knife and charged the two officers. The suspect was shot and died shortly after at a hospital.
Pittman identified the officer who was killed as William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year U.S. Capitol Police veteran. “I just ask that the public continue to keep U.S. Capitol Police and their families in your prayers,” said Pittman. “This has been an extremely difficult time for U.S. Capitol Police after the events of Jan. 6 and now the events that have occurred here today.”
The U.S. Capitol complex itself was placed in lockdown, and staff were informed that no one was allowed in or out. The incident occurs less than three months after an agitated crowd stormed the building during the voting process that certified Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Security measures put in place since then, like fencing for vehicle traffic, were recently removed, the AP reports.
The attacker has been identified as 25-year-old Noah Green, whom officials say had been “suffering from delusions, paranoia and suicidal thoughts.” Investigators are reportedly focusing on his mental health, and they do not see any further threats to the Capitol nor links to the previous incident at the Capitol in January.
The incident reportedly occurred about 300 feet from the Senate-side entrance to the building at a security checkpoint primarily used by senators and staff. Congress is currently in recess, and President Joe Biden had already left the White House for Camp David. Biden ordered that U.S. flags at the White House fly at half-staff through Tuesday, April 6, in honor of Evans.