Capitol Police officer killed, another injured after vehicle rams barricade
One U.S. Capitol Police officer was killed and another injured when a man rammed a car into two officers at a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol on Friday, sending shockwaves across the city and country less than three months after rioters laid siege to the complex.
The driver of the crashed car emerged with a knife in his hand and started “lunging” toward the officers, Capitol Police Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman said in a press conference. Authorities shot and killed the suspect.
“I just ask that the public continue to keep U.S. Capitol Police and their families in your prayers,” Pittman said. “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.”
Police identified the slain officer as William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year veteran who was a member of the department’s first responders unit. It’s the force’s second line-of-duty death this year, after Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick was killed in the Jan. 6 riot.
President Biden ordered White House flags to half-staff. He and his wife, Jill, sent “heartfelt condolences to Officer Evans’ family, and everyone grieving his loss.”
“We know what a difficult time this has been for the Capitol, everyone who works there, and those who protect it,” the couple said in a statement.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hailed Evans as a “martyr for our democracy.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was “heartbroken.”
Authorities have identified the suspect as 25-year-old Noah Green, who the New York Times and New York Post report described himself on Facebook as a follower of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.
The Capitol was plunged into lockdown for a time as a precaution, though authorities said there was no ongoing threat. Both chambers of Congress are in recess.
The apparent attack did not appear to be related to terrorism, nor was there an immediate connection apparent between Friday’s crash and the Jan. 6 riot.
But U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton said the it shows the Capitol remains a target, and serves as a stark reminder “that we have heroes who put their lives on the line everyday to protect all of us.”
“Having vehicles run into checkpoints and attack Americans was an almost everyday experience in Iraq. It was something I was prepared for as a United States Marine defending democracy in a country that had never had it before,” Moulton, an Iraq War veteran, said. “It’s not something I even imagined dealing with as a United States congressman.”
The tragedy prompted an outpouring of condolences from lawmakers and members of the law enforcement community.
U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark tweeted, “We have lost a Capitol Police officer, a defender of our Capitol and our democracy. My thoughts are with the family and friends of the officer and the entire force. The violence must stop.”
The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association tweeted, “Horrible news out of our nation’s capital. Another US Capitol police officer killed in the line of duty. The attacks against police officers must end.”
Herald wire services contributed to this report.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/31IJyL2
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