Two Capitol Police officers have been injured after a car rammed into them near the Capitol fencing on Friday afternoon, with the suspect shot after exiting the car with a knife.
Video from the Capitol on Friday afternoon shows a car smashed into the “temporary” barrier placed around the Capitol, with two people being put onto stretchers.
JUST IN – Car smashed into the barrier at US Capitol complex. Two people are on stretchers. pic.twitter.com/OAkmvdrjj8
— Disclose.tv
(@disclosetv) April 2, 2021
The Capitol Police issued a statement following media reports on the incident, confirming that the car was rammed into two Capitol Police officers, with one suspect in custody. Both officers are injured, with the suspect also injured. All three have been taken to hospital.
CRITICAL INCIDENT: USCP is responding to the North Barricade vehicle access point along Independence Avenue for reports someone rammed a vehicle into two USCP officers. A suspect is in custody. Both officers are injured. All three have been transported to the hospital. pic.twitter.com/4TXIdulJc6
— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) April 2, 2021
Further media reports, including from Fox News’s John Roberts, and NBC News, report that the suspect exited the vehicle with a knife, and was then shot by Capitol Police. A senior law enforcement official said that one officer was slashed in the face with the knife by the suspect.
Capitol taff received a text message at around 1PM from Capitol Police informing them of an “external security threat,” telling them that no entry or exit is permitted, and to stay away from exterior windows and doors.
I’m in the Capitol and will keep everyone posted here. pic.twitter.com/ydQGyCJcof
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) April 2, 2021
Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News shared video from the Capitol of a helicopter landing on the east side, something he has “never seen anything like” happening before.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) April 2, 2021
No legislators are in the Capitol building today, with the legislature being on recess. The National Guard, who have been present in DC since January, were nowhere near the scene at the time.
The Capitol Police are set to brief the press at 2:45PM EDT.
This is a breaking story and will be updated with more information.