Attacker rams car into US Capitol Hill checkpoint; police officer killed

A US Capitol police officer was killed and another injured after a car rammed through security and crashed into a barrier at the Washington complex.

Asianet Newsable English

Washington D.C., First Published Apr 3, 2021, 10:30 AM IST | Last Updated Apr 3, 2021, 10:30 AM IST

Terrifying moments were witnessed on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C after a car rammed into a barricade at the North Barricade vehicle access point.

A US Capitol Police officer succumbed to injuries received in the attack while another officer is battling for life.

US Capitol Police Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman: "The suspect rammed his car into two of our officers and then hit the north barricade barrier. At such time, the suspect exited the vehicle with a knife in hand. Our officers then engaged that suspect."

"The suspect started lunging towards US Capitol Police officers at which time US Capitol Police officers fired upon the suspect. At this time, the suspect has been pronounced deceased. Two US Capitol Police officers were transported to different hospitals. And it is with a very heavy heart that I announce that one of our officers has succumbed to his injuries."

The driver of the car was identified by media outlets as Noah Green.

Media outlets managed to get access to the 25-year-old attacker's Facebook page before it was pulled down. According to reports, Green was a member of the African American organisation Nation of Islam.

Hours before he drove his vehicle through the barriers at the Capitol, Green posted Instagram stories in which he called the US government the '#1 enemy of Black people'.

The deceased US Capitol Police officer was identified as William Evans.

Reacting to the incident, US President Joe Biden said he was heartbroken to learn of the violent attack at a security checkpoint on the US Capitol grounds, which killed Officer William Evans of the US Capitol Police, and left a fellow officer fighting for his life.

"I have been receiving ongoing briefings from my Homeland Security Advisor, and will be getting further updates as the investigation proceeds. I want to express the nation’s gratitude to the Capitol Police, the National Guard Immediate Response Force, and others who quickly responded to this attack. As we mourn the loss of yet another courageous Capitol Police officer, I have ordered that the White House flags be lowered to half-mast," Biden said.

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