A U.S. Capitol Police officer and a suspect have died after a car crashed into a barrier outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, said the police force’s chief on Friday.
Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said a vehicle slammed into two Capitol officers at a checkpoint on Constitution Ave. A suspect then exited the car “with [a] knife in hand” and lunged at the police officers before they opened fire, she added in a news conference.
Two officers were taken to a nearby hospital, where one died. The suspect also died, Pittman said. The fallen officer was identified as William “Billy” Evans by Capitol Police. The suspect was identified as Noah Green by law enforcement officials.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I announce one of our officers has succumbed to his injuries,” Pittman said. “This has been a very difficult time for the Capitol Police department. I ask that you keep our U.S. Capitol Police family in your prayers.”
The incident is not believed to be related to terrorism, Metropolitan Police Department Acting Chief Robert Contee told reporters.
In a statement, the U.S. Capitol Police confirmed the identity of the officer who was killed.
“It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Officer William ‘Billy’ Evans this afternoon from injuries he sustained following an attack at the North Barricade by a lone assailant. Officer Evans had been a member of the United States Capitol Police for 18 years. He began his USCP service on March 7, 2003, and was a member of the Capitol Division’s First Responder’s Unit. Please keep Officer Evans and his family in your thoughts and prayers,” the statement read.
Congress was not in session when the incident took place.
Following the crash, the Capitol Campus was locked down, said the Capitol Police in a statement.
“One USCP [Capitol Police] officer was transported by a USCP cruiser to the hospital,” Capitol Police added. “The second USCP officer was transported by DC Fire and EMS.”
The suspect, who was not identified, was transported by DC Fire and EMS to a hospital “where he succumbed to his injuries around 1:30 p.m.,” the department added.
Video footage shot from the area shows a significant police presence, and National Guard troops were seen mobilizing near the area of the crash.
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
According to an alert sent to staff, “due to an external security threat,” staff members were told they cannot enter or exit, and they were told to stay away from “windows and doors.”
“If you are outside, seek cover,” the alert said.
“Due to an exterior security threat, no entry or exit is permitted at this time in any building in the Capitol complex,” a voice announcement said, according to footage from the scene. “You may move around the buildings but stay away from exterior windows and doors,” it added.
There was a car that appeared to be smashed into a barrier outside the Capitol, according to photos and video footage taken at the scene.
The FBI Washington Field Office wrote on Twitter that it is supporting the Capitol Police after the incident.
“Praying for the United States Capitol Police officers who were attacked at the Capitol,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) wrote on Twitter. “We are still learning what’s taken place. Grateful to all the USCP and first responders who are on the scene.”
The incident took place about 300 feet from the entrance of the Senate building in the Capitol.
The Epoch Times has contacted Capitol Police for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
