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The US Capitol was suddenly sent into lockdown shortly after 1pm today after a car rammed into two police officers at one of the complex’s security barriers.
The driver then emerged from the vehicle with a “clearly visible” knife, Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman told reporters in Washington.
The suspect “did not respond to verbal commands”, and then started “lunging” and “running towards” police officers, at which point they shot him.
The driver and the two officers he rammed were transported to hospital, where the suspect and one of the officers were prounounced dead.
“It is with a very, very heavy heart that I announce one of our officers has succumbed to his injuries,” Chief Pittman said.
“I ask that the public continue to keep Capitol Police and their families in your prayers. This has been an extremely difficult time after the events of January 6, and now the events that have occurred here today.”
The dead officer has not been identified yet, as authorities still need to notify his next of kin.
Barricades were erected around the entire Capitol as an extra layer of security after supporters of former president Donald Trump stormed the building on January 6. That violence led to five deaths, including that of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick.
Acting Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee, who was also at the media briefing, said his department’s homicide division would investigate the incident.
“There is not a lot of information we can release at this time, but we certainly will be working very closely with our partners,” Chief Contee said.
He said it did not appear as though the suspect was known to police before today, and the attack did not appear to be terror-related.
NBC News reported the suspect was 25-year-old Noah Green, who identified himself as a follower of the Nation of Islam on his Facebook page.
Shortly after 1pm, local time, staff in the Capitol Building received a text message from police advising them that the complex had been locked down.
“External security threat, no entry or exit is permitted, stay away from exterior windows, doors. If outside, seek cover,” said the message, first reported by NBC’s Jake Sherman.
The same message was relayed by a voice announcement throughout the complex.
“Due to an exterior security threat, no entry or exit is permitted at this time in any building in the Capitol complex,” it said.
Reporters on the scene noticed a large presence of first responders and law enforcement outside, including a helicopter landing on the east front of the complex.
They also spotted a blue car, which appeared to have crashed into a barrier on the Senate side of the building.
At 1:30pm, Capitol Police released a statement saying a vehicle had rammed into two officers, who were taken to hospital along with the suspect.
“The USCP is responding to the north barricade vehicle access point along Constitution Avenue for reports someone rammed a vehicle into two USCP officers,” the Capitol Police said in a statement.
“A suspect is in custody. Both officers are injured. All three have been transported to the hospital.”
At about 2pm, US media reported the suspect had died. News of the police officer’s death came through a short time later.
Congress is currently in recess, meaning the representatives and senators were not present for the incident. Usually, the security checkpoint the vehicle struck is where senators enter the complex, either by car or on foot.
Leading politicians have issued statements expressing their concern.
“Praying for the United States Capitol Police officers who were attacked at the Capitol,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
“We are still learning what’s taken place. Grateful to all the USCP and first responders who are on the scene.”
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