Washington, United States:
A US Capitol police officer was killed and a second injured Friday just after a car rammed by means of safety and crashed into a barrier at the Washington complicated, forcing it into lockdown significantly less than 3 months just after a mob assault on Congress.
Capitol Police shot dead the driver just after he jumped out of the car or truck and lunged at them with a knife, Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman told reporters.
No details was offered on the identity of the attacker or his motivation. Pittman stated there was no current police file on the suspect.
But Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee indicated that a terror hyperlink was not suspected at this stage.
“It does not appear to be terrorism-related, but obviously we will continue to investigate,” stated Contee.
News reports stated President Joe Biden, spending the Easter weekend at his Camp David retreat, had been informed of the attack.
The slain officer was identified by US Capitol Police as William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year veteran of the force.
“Please keep Officer Evans and his family in your thoughts and prayers,” Pittman stated in a statement.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered flags lowered to half-employees on the Capitol in the victim’s honor though the Senate’s chief Republican, Mitch McConnell, provided prayers.
“I’m heartbroken for the officer killed today defending our Capitol and for his family. I’m praying for the officer injured and his family,” tweeted Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
‘Seek cover’
The attack came as psyches remained scarred and safety tight just after the January assault on Congress by hundreds of supporters of then-President Donald Trump.
National Guard troops had been mobilized Friday and employees at the large Capitol complicated ordered to keep away from windows and seek cover just after alerts went out more than the incident shortly just after 1 pm (1700 GMT).
While Congress was on recess for the Easter vacation, text messages sent to staffers nevertheless working inside told them to stay away from windows and stated no one could enter or leave the constructing.
“If you are outside, seek cover,” the messages stated, though tv footage showed what appeared to be the injured officers becoming loaded onto gurneys and into ambulances.
Following the attack, the blue sedan could be observed crashed into a safety barrier on one of the streets major to Congress.
Heightened safety just after January 6
In the January 6 attack, hundreds of extremist Trump-backers smashed into the Capitol constructing yelling threats against politicians and shutting down the legislature.
One Capitol Police officer died as a outcome of the attack, as nicely as 4 other people people who took component or had been nearby.
Since then safety officials have stated there is an ongoing threat from intense-proper groups and Trump supporters.
More than 300 folks have been charged in the January attack, which includes members of armed extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, and one hundred more are anticipated to be charged, according to Justice Department court filings.
In current weeks some safety about the complicated has been loosened, with the quantity of armed National Guard troops at the Capitol decreased and a safety fence that made a broad perimeter about the Capitol complicated removed.
But permanent barriers stay in location on all the roadway entrances to the Capitol, nicely-manned by police and national guard.
“I drive through this checkpoint and wave to the officers guarding it nearly every day that I’m in Washington. I’m heartbroken to learn of an officer’s death in today’s attack,” tweeted Representative Angie Craig.
Security officials, which includes the Capitol Police and National Guard, had been faulted for reacting gradually to the crowds who stormed the Capitol on January 6.
But, Pittman stated, they also stay on edge. “This has been an extremely difficult time for the US Capitol police after the events of January 6, and after the events that have occurred here today,” she stated.
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