The U.S. Capitol was attacked Friday, killing a police officer after a person rammed his car into two police officers at a checkpoint.
The attacker and a US Capitol police officer both died, a law enforcement representative said at a press conference.
The US Capitol Police later identified the officer who died as William ‘Billy’ Evans, a member of the USCP for 18 years.
Sources identified the suspect to NBC News as 25-year-old Noah Green from Indiana. His Facebook page says he is a follower of Islam and that he recently lost his job and expressed his despair, NBC reported.
A Capitol Police official said the incident was currently “not terrorist related” but noted that further investigation was needed.
The Capitol Police said in a statement shortly after 2:40 pm that the threat had been “neutralized” and lifted the lockdown on the US Capitol shortly after 3:00 pm
Capitol Police confirmed that the driver jumped out of the car with a knife after ramming the vehicle into the barricade. The driver then pounced on the officers, whereupon the officers shot the suspect.
The second officer was also injured in the incident, according to the Capitol Police.
The incident occurred shortly after 1:00 p.m. ET at the North Barricade vehicle access point along Constitution Avenue, Capitol Police said. Congress was not in session at the time of the incident, but the Capitol security presence has increased since the January 6 riot.
President Joe Biden ordered the flag of the White House to be hoisted at half mast in honor of the late Capitol Police officer. He and First Lady Jill Biden were “broken” to learn of the event.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the family of Officer Evans and all who mourn his loss,” he said in a statement. “We know how difficult this has been for the Capitol, for everyone who works there, and for those who protect it. I have received ongoing information from my Homeland Security advisor and I will have more information as the investigation progresses. I want to the Capitol Police, the National Guard Immediate Response Force, and others who responded quickly to this attack to express the nation’s gratitude. “
House spokeswoman Nancy Pelosi ordered flags to be hoisted on half poles in the Capitol in light of the death of the Capitol police officer, a spokeswoman for her office said in a statement.
In another statement, Pelosi called the late officer Evans “a martyr for our democracy”.
“Members of Congress, staff and Capitol workers, and all Americans, agree that they appreciate the courage of the US Capitol police force,” she said. “Today these heroes risked their lives again to protect our Capitol and our lands with the same extraordinary selflessness and service as they did on January 6th. On behalf of the entire House, we are deeply grateful.”
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