Who was Billy Evans? Capitol cop, veteran of 18 years, brutally mowed down to death by Nation of Islam follower
William 'Billy' Evans, a police officer at the US Capitol was brutally mowed down to death at the North Barricade by lone assailant Noah Green. In the sudden attack, Green attacked Evans and another officer with his blue Nissan Altima. While Evans succumbed to his injuries, another officer was critically injured but survived. The suspect, 25-year-old Noah Green, who then got out of the vehicle wielding a knife, was shot dead by other cops.
In a statement issued by Acting US Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman, the details about the death of William Evans have been revealed. "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 Chief wrote. He added, "The suspect rаmmed his cаr into two of our officers аnd then hit the north bаrricаde bаrrier… the suspect exited the vehicle with а knife in hаnd. Our officers then engаged thаt suspect. He did not respond to verbаl commаnds. The suspect did stаrt lunging towаrd U.S. Cаpitol police officers аt which time U.S Cаpitol police officers fired upon the suspect. The suspect hаs been pronounced deceаsed."
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UPDATE: Here is the latest information. pic.twitter.com/GOVaMv8EXk
— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) April 2, 2021
Who is Billy Evans?
Officer William Evans was a veteran of 18 years with the United States Capitol Police. He began his service with the USCP on March 7, 2003, as revealed by the Capitol Chief. He was a member of the Cаpitol Division’s First Responder’s Unit.
Evans was a native of western Massachusetts and grew up there, as revealed by Boston 25 News.
The tragic death of Evans comes barely three months after the horrific Capitol Riots of January 6, 2021, which left several police officers seriously injured, and caused the death of Officer Brian D Sicknick. Though it is unlikely that the April 2 incident had any connection with the Capitol Riots, it took place just a week after wire fencing was removed from the area.
The 25-year-old suspect Noah Green was a follower of 'Nation of Islam' but terrorism is not being believed to be a motive behind the attack.
President Biden ordered the flags at the Capitol to be lowered to half staff in mourning for the slain police officer. He issued a statement about Evans on Friday.
"Jill and I were heartbroken to learn of the violent attack at a security checkpoint on the U.S. Capitol grounds, which killed Officer William Evans of the U.S. Capitol Police, and left a fellow officer fighting for his life. 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. 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."
Statements were also issued by Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, mourning the death of Officer Evans.
Harris said that Evans had made the "ultimate sacrifice protecting the Capitol and those who work there on behalf of the American people."
Calling Evans a "martyr for our democracy", Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote, "May we always remember the heroism of those who have given their lives to defend our Democracy. May it be a comfort to the family of the Capitol Police Officer killed that so many mourn with them and pray for them at this sad time."
Following the incident, an emergency alert was issued to congressional offices urging people to 'seek over' due to 'an external security threat'.