Officer killed in attack near US Capitol: Live updates | CNN Politics (original) (raw)

Capitol Police officer killed after suspect rams car into barrier

02:57 - Source:CNN

• A US Capitol Police officer has died and another is injured after a man rammed a vehicle into a police barricade outside the Capitol building, police said.
• The suspect was fatally shot by police after he exited the vehicle holding a knife and ran toward officers, authorities said.

Our live coverage has ended. Read more about the Capitol incident here.

One US Capitol Police officer has died and another is injured after a suspect rammed a car into a police barricade outside the Capitol building Friday afternoon.

The suspect in the attack has also died.

Here’s what we know:

• The incident: At about 1:02 p.m. ET, a suspect rammed his car into two US Capitol officers and then hit the north barricade barrier at the Capitol, Yogananda Pittman, acting chief of the US Capitol Police, said during a news conference Friday afternoon. “The suspect did start lunging toward US Capitol Police officers, at which time US Capitol Police officers fired upon the suspect,” she said. The Capitol complex was placed on lockdown following the attack.
• The victims: Two US Capitol Police officers were taken to different hospitals with injuries and one died, Pittman added. The officer who died in the attack near the Capitol building was identified as William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year US Capitol Police veteran, the chief said in a statement. The second US Capitol Police officer who was struck by the car this afternoon is in stable and non-threatening condition, according to a tweet from the department.
• The suspect: The suspect died following the attack, Pittman said. The suspect was identified as Noah Green, according to federal and local law enforcement sources. One federal source said he is 25. Green posted on social media in the weeks before the attack that he had lost his job and suffered medical ailments, and said he believed the federal government was targeting him with “mind control.”
• The aftermath: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered flags at the US Capitol to be flown at half-staff following the officer’s death, Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff tweeted. “Today, America’s heart has been broken by the tragic and heroic death of one of our Capitol Police heroes: Officer William Evans. He is a martyr for our democracy,” Pelosi said in a statement.
• President Biden sends his condolences: Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden are heartbroken. “Jill and I were 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.” Biden said. “We send our 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 White House flag was lowered to half-staff.
• Larger context: The officer who was killed Friday is the second to die in the line of duty this year. Capitol Police officer, Brian D. Sicknick, died a day after the Capitol riot on Jan. 6 “due to injuries sustained while on-duty,” the Capitol Police said in a statement. Two officers died by suicide after responding to the riot.

Vice President Kamala Harris issued a statement Friday regarding the death of US Capitol Police Officer William Evans, saying that he “made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the Capitol and those who work there on behalf of the American people.”

Evans died after a man rammed a vehicle into a police barricade near the US Capitol building.

“Doug and I are grateful for the Capitol Police, the National Guard Immediate Response Force, and everyone else who responded swiftly to today’s attack,” Harris, who served in the Senate for four years, wrote. “And we continue to be proud of the courageous men and women who defend the Capitol, especially during a challenging period when they have faced two violent and deadly attacks.”

The second US Capitol Police officer who was struck by the car this afternoon is in stable and non-threatening condition, according to a tweet from the department.

Police and National Guardsmen responded swiftly as the situation unfolded Friday, immediately moving to secure the Capitol as initial reports of violence began to emerge.

“Just after 1 p.m., a man in a blue sedan rammed his vehicle into the North Barricade at the US Capitol, striking 2 USCP officers,” US Capitol Police said in a statement. “The Department immediately locked down the Capitol Campus. The man exited the vehicle with a knife and ran toward our officers. At least one officer, drew their weapon and shot the suspect.”

Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, who led a review of security at the US Capitol in the wake of the Jan. 6 riot, said Friday that the “system worked,” despite the loss of an officer, who died after a man rammed a car into a police barricade outside the Capitol building.

“Unfortunately, we lost Officer Evans today, but by and large that system worked. The Capitol police responded, they stopped him. The system worked.”

Noah Green, the suspect who law enforcement sources say rammed his car into two US Capitol Police officers on Friday, posted on social media in the weeks before the attack that he had lost his job and suffered medical ailments, and said he believed the federal government was targeting him with “mind control.”

Less than two hours before he was shot and killed, Green posted a number of Instagram stories on an account that appears to belong him, including links to ​other Instagram videos of Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan speaking.

“The U.S. Government is the #1 enemy of Black people!” a caption on one video read. In another post on the Instagram account, Green wrote last week that he believed Farrakhan had saved him “after the terrible afflictions I have suffered presumably by the CIA and FBI, government agencies of the United States of America.”

Responding to a comment on that post, Green wrote, “I have suffered multiple home break ins, food poisonings, assaults, unauthorized operations in the hospital, mind control.”

Green, 25, graduated from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in finance, according to a program from the university commencement. A law enforcement source said he had a Virginia driver’s license.

An online athletics bio from the university said he was born in Fairlea, West Virginia, and that the “person in history he’d most like to meet is Malcolm X.” In a March 17 post on a Facebook account that appears to belong to him, Green wrote that he believed Farrakhan is “Jesus, the Messiah,” and that Farrakhan was “instrumental on my awakening and life’s work.” Green signed the post “Brother Noah X.”

“To be honest these past few years have been tough, and these past few months have been tougher,” Green wrote in the post. “I have been tried with some of the biggest, unimaginable tests in my life.”

He said that he was unemployed “after I left my job partly due to afflictions, but ultimately, in search of a spiritual journey.”

“My faith is one of the only things that has been able to carry me through these times and my faith is centered on the belief of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan as Jesus, the Messiah, the final divine reminder in our midst,” the post continued. “I consider him my spiritual father. Without his guidance, his word, and his teachings that I’ve picked up on along the way, I would’ve been unable to continue.”

The same day, Green uploaded an image of a certificate that appeared to recognize a gift he had made to the Nation of Islam of $1,085. He also posted links to videos of several speeches by Farrakhan. One of the videos, of a 1996 speech by Farrakhan, was titled “The Divine Destruction of America.”

In his Facebook post, Green wrote that he had been “unknowingly” taking a drug and suffering from side effects.

“The Minister is here to save me and the rest of humanity, even if it means facing death,” he wrote, appearing to reference Farrakhan. “Be willing to deny yourself and follow him, pick up your cross.”

The Instagram and Facebook accounts were both taken offline Friday afternoon.

“After this horrific event, our thoughts are with the Capitol Police and their loved ones,” a Facebook company spokesperson told CNN. “We have designated the incident under our Dangerous Individuals and Organizations policy, which means we have removed the suspect’s accounts from Facebook and Instagram, and are removing any content that praises, supports, or represents the attack or the suspect. We are in contact with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation.”

Two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the ongoing investigation confirm to CNN the Facebook page is the suspect’s. Additionally, an Instagram account with the same photos and information as the Facebook account was discovered by CNN.

CNN has attempted to reach Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam for comment on this story but has not received a response. Calls to the Nation of Islam were directed to the organization’s newspaper, and an individual that picked up the phone at the newspaper said there was no one there that could comment on the story.

The White House flag has been lowered to half-staff following the death of William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year US Capitol Police veteran killed this afternoon after a man rammed a vehicle into a police barricade outside the Capitol building.

“It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Officer William ‘Billy’ Evans this afternoon from injuries he sustained following an attack at the North Barricade by a lone assailant,” the department’s acting chief Yogananda Pittman said in a statement.

During a press briefing, Pittman said the suspect in the attack, who brandished a knife after ramming his vehicle into a police barricade on Constitution Avenue and was subsequently shot by officers, had also died.

Federal and local law enforcement sources told CNN that the suspect has been identified as Noah Green. One federal source told CNN he was 25 years old.

President Biden reacted to an incident at the US Capitol today that left one Capitol Police officer dead, saying he and first lady Jill Biden are heartbroken.

“I have been receiving ongoing briefings from my Homeland Security Advisor, and will be getting further updates as the investigation proceeds,” he added.

Biden also said he has ordered that the White House flags to be lowered to half-mast.

Biden is at Camp David, Maryland, where he is spending the Easter holiday.

Watch:

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01:25 - Source: cnn

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was “heartbroken” for the US Capitol Police officer who was killed in today’s attack “defending our Capitol.”

The Democrat from New York thanked US Capitol Police, the National Guard and first responders “for all they do to protect the Capitol and those inside.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also tweeted about the incident, saying he is “Praying for the United States Capitol Police officers who were attacked at the Capitol” and “Grateful to all the USCP and first responders who are on the scene.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered the flags at the US Capitol to be flown at half-staff today in honor of the officer who was killed.

See Schumer’s tweet:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement on today’s attack near the Capitol and the US Capitol Police officer who was killed.

Pelosi expressed her gratitude, and said the officers showed the same “extraordinary selflessness and spirit of service” as they did during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6.

“Today, once again, these heroes risked their lives to protect our Capitol and our Country, with the same extraordinary selflessness and spirit of service seen on January 6. On behalf of the entire House, we are profoundly grateful,” Pelosi said.

She said Congress “stands ready to assist law enforcement with a swift and comprehensive investigation into this heinous attack.”

Pelosi also expressed her condolences for the officer’s family.

“May we always remember the heroism of those who have given their lives to defend our Democracy,” she said.

Pelosi ordered that the flags at the US Capitol be flown at half-staff in honor of the officer who was killed.

The officer who died in today’s attack near the Capitol building was identified as William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year US Capitol Police veteran, the chief said in a statement.

The suspect in today’s attack has been identified as Noah Green, according to federal and local law enforcement sources.

One federal source said he is 25.

The suspect rammed a vehicle into a police barricade outside the Capitol building earlier today. He was fatally shot by police after he exited the vehicle holding a knife, police said.

The US Capitol Police said the investigation into today’s attack on police officers near the US Capitol is ongoing.

Police released a statement on Twitter with further details of the timeline of today’s attack on the Capitol.

“We are devastated to share the sad news that one of our officers involved in this afternoon’s incident passed away. USCP is working to notify the officer’s next of kin before it releases additional information,” police said in the statement.

The statement continued:

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tweeted Friday that “there is still much to be determined about” the attack near the US Capitol today.

He offered the agency’s support to the Capitol Police and Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Read the tweet:

The lockdown at the US Capitol following an attack on police officers nearby has been lifted.

Loudspeakers at the US Capitol alerted staff moments ago that the “lockdown due to the external threat has concluded — continue to follow police direction.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said President Biden is “aware” of the Capitol incident.

Biden is not in the White House. He arrived at Camp David at 12:53 p.m. ET where he is spending the Easter weekend.

Psaki made the comments to a pool reporter.

Moments after the US Capitol Police concluded its press conference, a notice was sent to staff on Capitol Hill reading in part:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has ordered the flags at the US Capitol to be flown at half-staff due to the death of a US Capitol Police officer in today’s attack near the building, Pelosi’s spokesperson Drew Hammill said in a tweet.

Robert Contee, acting chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, said the attack near the US Capitol today “does not appear to be terrorism related.”

Watch here:

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00:42 - Source: cnn

Yogananda Pittman, acting chief of the US Capitol Police, asked for prayers this afternoon moments after sharing that a Capitol Police officer had died after a vehicular attack on US Capitol grounds earlier in the day.

The officer who was killed today is the second to die in the line of duty this year. Capitol Police officer, Brian D. Sicknick, died a day after the Capitol riot on Jan. 6 “due to injuries sustained while on-duty,” the Capitol Police said in a statement. Two officers died by suicide after responding to the riot.

“It has been an extremely difficult and challenging year for us but we will get through this,” she added at the end of the conference.

One of the two officers injured in Friday’s attack near the US Capitol building has died, according to Acting US Capitol Police Chief Yogananda D. Pittman. The officer’s name was not released.

“I just ask that the public continue to keep US Capitol Police and their families in your prayers,” she said.

Watch:

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01:06 - Source: cnn

Yogananda Pittman, acting chief of the US Capitol Police, laid bare the details leading to the incident that occurred at about 1:02 p.m. ET today on Capitol Hill.

Pittman added: “The suspect did start lunging toward 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 taken to two different hospitals with injuries and one has died, Pittman said.

Watch the update:

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01:13 - Source: cnn

US Capitol Police are holding a news conference now and providing an update on the attack earlier today.

The DC National Guard deployed an Immediate Response Force made up of members of the National Guard to the Capitol complex today to support the US Capitol Police, a DC National Guard spokesperson told CNN.

There are roughly 2,300 National Guard members in DC supporting local, state, and federal authorities in DC, the spokesperson said.

US Capitol Police tweeted that a news conference will be held at 2:45 p.m. ET to give updates on the situation outside the Capitol.

Multiple sources confirm that the suspect in Friday’s attack near the US Capitol has died.

A law enforcement official confirmed earlier that at least one of the officers was stabbed.

Earlier, a senior Congressional aide and a US Capitol Police source told CNN that after a driver rammed a car into a barricade on Constitution Avenue, the driver exited the vehicle brandishing a knife.

The Capitol complex remains in total lockdown, and no one is being allowed in or out of any Capitol buildings.

Officers and some National Guard were spotted barricading a roadway near the US Capitol this afternoon following the incident.

A law enforcement official confirms that at least one of the officers was stabbed.

Earlier, a senior Congressional aide and a US Capitol Police source told CNN that after a driver rammed a car into a barricade on Constitution Avenue, the driver exited the vehicle brandishing a knife.

The US Capitol Police responded and shot the suspect, who was taken into custody, according to police. The sources say the suspect was conscious and taken to a hospital.

Both the House and the Senate are currently in recess, but lawmakers are watching the situation at the US Capitol and tweeting their reactions. Many lawmakers are in their home districts for the Easter holiday.

Here’s how some of them are reacting:

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna said he left his congressional office to grab some Chinese food, and when he got back, he received calls from staff telling him to stay away from the building because of a security threat.

“Honestly, it did bring back memories of January 6th,” he said, referring to the Capitol insurrection.

He said he is grateful to Capitol Police and spoke to an officer, who instructed him to wait in his car.

“There is a sense that now … simply going to work is something that has become dangerous. And I can’t imagine saying that, that going to the United States Capitol to represent your constituents, is actually a dangerous thing in the United States of America. It’s just deeply saddening,” he said.

In an email from the US Capitol Police, obtained by CNN, the agency laid out the following details of the incident:

• USCP shot the suspect after he rammed the barricade and exited holding a knife.
• He is now in custody – breathing and conscious – and was transported to a hospital.
• Two officers were injured, and one is being transported to the hospital by USCP.
• The second is being medevaced out (medical evacuation).

Separately, CNN has confirmed that the FBI Washington Field Office is providing support to the US Capitol Police.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell took to Twitter to offer prayers for two US Capitol Police officers injured during Friday’s incident.

“Praying for the United States Capitol Police officers who were attacked at the Capitol,” he said of the officers. US Capitol Police say someone rammed a vehicle into a barricade on Constitution Avenue.

He went on to say that they are “still learning what’s taken place.”

A senior Congressional aide and a US Capitol Police source tell CNN that after the driver of the vehicle rammed their car into a barricade on Constitution Avenue, the driver exited the vehicle brandishing a knife.

The US Capitol Police responded and shot the suspect, who was taken into custody.

The sources say the suspect was conscious and taken to a hospital.

The FBI in Washington, DC, is responding to the situation at the US Capitol to assist them.

US Capitol Police confirmed earlier that someone rammed a vehicle into two officers near Constitution Avenue. The officers were injured and taken to a hospital, police tweeted.

A suspect has been taken into custody and transported to a hospital, police said.

The DC Police Department announced several street closures around the US Capitol as law enforcement officials continue to respond to a security threat outside the building.

“Maryland Av, NE and Constitution Av, NE west bound towards the capitol is currently closed,” they tweeted.

CNN congressional correspondent Lauren Fox described the scene at Capitol Hill when it went on lockdown during the security situation.

Fox added:

“There are office buildings at the Capitol, and then there’s the Capitol Dome, which is so synonymous with the scene on Capitol Hill. That’s where those chambers are, that’s where the insurrection happened on Jan. 6.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki was informed there is a situation at the US Capitol while briefing reporters from the podium.

A reporter asked: “There’s a security situation at the US Capitol that I know you’re not aware of right now. Can you just remind us with the President not on campus here, who’s with him to brief him on issues?”

“I’m obviously not aware, as Kelly acknowledged, of the situation at the Capitol,” Psaki said at the briefing.

Psaki continued:

Biden has arrived at Camp David after he departed the White House earlier on Friday, according to a pool report.

A suspect is in custody following reports that someone rammed a vehicle into two US Capitol Police officers, US Capitol Police tweeted Friday.

“USCP is responding to the North Barricade vehicle access point along Independence Avenue for reports someone rammed a vehicle into two USCP officers. A suspect is in custody. Both officers are injured. All three have been transported to the hospital,” the tweet said.

Police later corrected the location saying it happened near Constitution Avenue.

The US Capitol is on lockdown. An announcement made over the PA system told everyone to stay indoors, and away from windows.

CNN’s Lauren Fox reports seeing ambulances and a helicopter outside the building. One person was seen on a stretcher.

DC Fire spokesperson Vito Maggiolo says they are responding to a reported shooting at the north barricade of the Capitol and there are indications they will be transporting patients.