One cop killed at Capitol, another hurt as knife-wielding man rams car into officers before getting fatally shot
An unidentified man launched an attack on the US Capitol, injuring one and killing another police officer. Around 1.00 pm, the man rammed his blue car into officers stationed at the vehicular access point along Constitution Avenue. Names for the two officers have not been revealed.
After ramming the cops, the suspect exited the vehicle with a knife in hand. He was then shot by police and taken to the hospital. The suspect did not respond to the police's request to surrender and was shot. Police have confirmed he is deceased. The name of the suspect has not been revealed as of now. A source said that one of the officers was stabbed, but this has not been confirmed by police.
Images from the scene show a blue car with a smashed front end. There are also visuals of a male with a bloodstained beige shirt being taken to an ambulance. Shortly after the incident, the Capitol was placed on lockdown and the National Guard redeployed. It is unclear how many members were deployed. A spokesperson told CNN, "Due to operational security, we cannot discuss further details regarding the QRF" (quick reaction force).
Following the incident, police have sealed off Constitution Avenue between Second Street NE and First Street NW. and First Street between Constitution Avenue NE and Independence Avenue SE. The building was also placed on lockdown immediately. Police also announced that the press staging area was being moved to the Upper Senate Park near the fountain.
Acting Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, Robert Contee said, "It does not appear to be terrorism-related. But obviously, we'll continue to investigate to see if there is some type of nexus along those lines."
Lawmakers are currently on recess and were not in the building. The President is also not in the city and at Camp David today. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has ordered flags to be flown at half-mast in honour of the officer killed.
This is a developing story. We will keep you informed as we get more information.
UPDATE
The lockdown has been lifted, and staffers are being directed "to follow police direction". The president has been briefed about the situation but is yet to issue a statement. The suspect has also been identified as Noah Green by The Post Millennial's editor-at-large Andy Ngô. In a tweet, Ngo said, "the man who rammed a car into Capitol Police, killing one, has been identified as Noah Green. Green was armed w/a large blade when he was shot dead. He identified as a follower of the black nationalist Nation of Islam movement. FB has immediately deleted his profile."
EXCLUSIVE: The man who rammed a car into Capitol Police, killing one, has been identified as Noah Green. Green was armed w/a large blade when he was shot dead. He identified as a follower of the black nationalist Nation of Islam movement.
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) April 2, 2021
FB has immediately deleted his profile. pic.twitter.com/erLNdob8ld