Two dead, including police officer, after suspect rams vehicle into US Capitol Police

A police officer was killed Friday after a suspect rammed his vehicle into a security barrier and injured two police officers at the US Capitol in Washington, DC.

The police officers and the suspect, who was shot, were taken to a nearby hospital.

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One of the police officers, Billy Evans, was later pronounced dead as was the suspect, the Capitol Police said during a press conference shortly after the incident.

“Officer Evans had been a member of the United States Capitol Police for 18 years. Please keep Officer Evans and his family in your thoughts and prayers,” Capitol Police said in a statement.

After crashing into the security barrier, the suspect got out of his car and began running at police officers with a knife in his hand.

President Joe Biden, who was not at the White House during the time of the attack, said he was “heartbroken to learn of the violent attack.”

“We know what a difficult time this has been for the Capitol, everyone who works there, and those who protect it,” the US president said in a statement.

He added: “I want to express the nation’s gratitude to the Capitol Police, the National Guard Immediate Response Force, and others who quickly responded to this attack. As we mourn the loss of yet another courageous Capitol Police officer, I have ordered that the White House flags be lowered to half-mast.”

The FBI later released a statement saying they were providing support to the Capitol Police.

Videos from the Capitol showed a heavy security presence on the scene, and a helicopter was recorded flying close to the complex.

DC Police chief Robert Contee said the incident did not appear to be terrorism-related, adding that the suspect was not previously on any security-linked radars.

“I just ask that the public continue to keep US Capitol Police and their families in your prayers,” Capitol Police Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman said at the briefing. “This has been an extremely difficult time for US Capitol Police after the events of January 6 and now the events that have occurred here today.”

Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in January after the former president claimed that the presidential election was stolen. Five people were killed during the riots, including one Capitol Police officer.

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