Capital Attack

From the BBC:

“US Capitol: Police officer dies after car rams Capitol complex”

An attack at the US Capitol complex in Washington DC has left one police officer dead and another in hospital with injuries. A car crashed into a security barrier before the driver lunged towards the officers with a knife, police said. The officers opened fire and the suspect, who has not been identified, was shot dead. The city's acting police chief has said the attack does not appear to be terrorism-related. "Whether the attack was at law enforcement, or whoever, we have a responsibility to get to the bottom of it and we'll do that," Robert Contee, the acting chief of Washington DC's Metropolitan Police Department, said at a news conference on Friday. "It is with a very, very heavy heart that I announce one of our officers has succumbed to his injuries," Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said at the conference. The exact circumstances of the officer's death are not yet clear.  There is an increased security presence around the Capitol building, where the US Congress sits, and a number of police cars surrounding the area.

The entry point on Constitution Avenue where the vehicle struck the barricade is frequently used by senators and staff. But Congress is currently in recess, meaning the majority of politicians are not at the Capitol complex today. President Joe Biden left Washington earlier in the day for Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland. The White House said the president has been briefed on the situation. However, some reporters, maintenance workers and Capitol Hill employees are likely still on the Capitol grounds. Shortly after 13:00 local time (18:00 GMT) the Capitol Police alert system sent an email to lawmakers and their staff ordering them to stay away from exterior windows and doors. Anyone outside was instructed to seek cover.

Analysis by Samantha Granville, US Capitol Capitol Hill has been tense over the past three months. Since the riot on 6 January, the complex has been like a fortress with barbed wire, metal fencing and heightened security. But just weeks later, we are back here with blocked roads, extra troops, and a solemn feeling. Congress is in recess today and staff I have spoken to are grateful to be home and nervous about returning to work after the Easter holiday. They say, understandably, that it is scary to have your workplace attacked twice in a short space of time. It is concerning for them that even with ramped up security, an event that led to an officer's death still happened. The FBI's Washington Field Office is responding to the situation and is providing support to the Capitol Police. The US Attorney General is also aware of the incident and is being updated, according to CBS News. The incident comes nearly three months after the deadly 6 January riot at the Capitol.

^ This is extremely sad. I hope we figure out why the attack took place and honor the Police Officer who died. ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56620113