One Capitol Police Officer Dead Following Car Attack, Another Injured; Suspect Dead

An unknown suspect was fatally shot Friday by police after ramming a car into two police officers at the Capitol building and then proceeding to charge at officers on-foot while wielding a knife, announced U.S. Capitol Police Department Friday afternoon. 

Two U.S. Capitol police officers were injured in the car attack — which occurred shortly after 1pm — and both of the officers were taken to hospitals in the area, said Acting Capitol Police Department Chief Yogananda Pittman in a press conference. One of the police officers has been pronounced dead, and the extent of the other officer’s injuries are not currently clear.

“It is a with a very, very heavy heart that I announce one of our officers has succumbed to his injuries,” said Pittman. “We are not able to release any information, names, age, date of birth, or anything of that nature at this time, because we still have to notify the next of kin.”

“This has been an extremely difficult time,” said Pittman, citing the events of January 6 as well as the car attack. She also asked that the public keep the Capitol police department in their thoughts and prayers. 

Pittman said the suspect “did not respond to verbal commands” and was carrying a visible knife in his hand. Police fired at the suspect after the individual started running toward them in what Pittman described as lunging. Shortly after the press conference, the department issued a statement describing the deceased suspect as a man who drove a blue sedan. The department’s statement also notes:

One USCP officer was transported by a USCP cruiser to the hospital. The second USCP officer was transported by DC Fire and EMS. The suspect was also transported by DC Fire and EMS to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries around 1:30pm. 

UPDATE: Here is the latest information. pic.twitter.com/GOVaMv8EXk

— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) April 2, 2021

Robert Contee, chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, which is separate from the Capitol police department, offered his “deepest condolences” to “all of the officers at the United States Capitol Police,” and said there doesn’t appear to be an ongoing threat. Contee said that it doesn’t appear the suspect was known to local police, and also said the department’s homicide division and internal affairs division was taking over the investigation. 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has ordered the flags on the Capitol building at half-staff in light of the attack, according to a spokesperson.

Speaker Pelosi has ordered the flags at the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff due to the death of a U.S. Capitol Police Officer in the of duty today. The process of lowering the flags may take longer than usual because of the Capitol’s current lockdown status.

— Drew Hammill (@Drew_Hammill) April 2, 2021

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said after the attack: “Praying for the United States Capitol Police officers who were attacked at the Capitol. We are still learning what’s taken place. Grateful to all the USCP and first responders who are on the scene.”

Praying for the United States Capitol Police officers who were attacked at the Capitol. We are still learning what’s taken place. Grateful to all the USCP and first responders who are on the scene.

— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) April 2, 2021

This article has been updated to include additional information.