Suspect, one Capitol Police officer DEAD after checkpoint ramming incident in Washington, DC

 

The driver of the car that rammed a barricade outside the US Capitol has died in hospital; along with one of the Capitol Police officers injured in the incident, officials have confirmed.

A car smashed into the barricade on Constitution Avenue, on the northeast side of the Capitol complex; on Friday afternoon, seriously injuring two officers.

The driver emerged armed with a knife and was shot by Capitol Police.

All three were taken to hospital, but one of the officers and the suspect have since died; police officials confirmed at a press conference.

The second Capitol Police officer is reportedly in a critical condition.

The Capitol went into lockdown over the incident.

Journalists at the complex filmed both the scene of the crash; and a US Park Police helicopter touching down on the lawn outside the east entrance.

“It is with a very, very heavy heart, that I announce that one of our officers has succumbed to his injuries;” Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman told reporters at the press conference, asking the public to keep his family as well as the Capitol Police in their prayers.

“The suspect exited the vehicle with a knife in hand,” Pittman said.

He “did not respond to verbal commands” and “started to lunge” at the officers, and they shot him.

Live video aired on ‘Fox News Now’ showed a lifeless man being taken to an ambulance on a stretcher. It was not confirmed if this person was the attacker. pic.twitter.com/okI6Jmo0Xc

— Raphael Mantuano (@rafita_stormy_h) April 2, 2021

The incident “does not appear to be terrorism-related,” however remains under investigation, said DC Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee.

Capitol Police could not find any record of the suspect having previously been involved with law enforcement; also suggesting there was no “nexus” with any member of Congress.

Large police presence and two stretchers being brought out pic.twitter.com/EmidoLP0PT

— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) April 2, 2021

National Guard troops in riot gear were quickly dispatched to the area. Congress is currently on Easter recess; as well as the legislators are not expected back in Washington until April 12.

Some 25,000 National Guard troops were deployed to safeguard Biden’s inauguration; as well as the Capitol from “threats” that failed to materialize.

Several thousand still remain in Washington, DC. An outer-perimeter fence topped with razor wire was only recently removed from around the Capitol.

Friday’s incident is the first serious security threat to the Capitol since the January 6 riot; when a crowd of supporters of President Donald Trump interrupted the joint session of Congress held to certify the election of Democrat Joe Biden as president.