U.S. Capitol on Lockdown After Vehicle Attack; 2 Officers Injured

A suspect was shot at the U.S. Capitol on Friday and was in
custody after striking and injuring two Capitol Police officers
with a vehicle near the heavily guarded northern entrance to the
building, according to a congressional official briefed by security
officials.

The Capitol was locked down and a National Guard quick-response
team as well as local police were on hand at the already heavily
fortified complex, as the Capitol Police instructed staff to remain
indoors, away from doors and windows.

Eyewitnesses posted videos of a large law enforcement response
in the most serious security incident at the complex since the
deadly Jan. 6 attack on the building that injured dozens and killed
five people.

“A suspect is in custody,” the Capitol Police said on Twitter.
“Both officers are injured. All three have been transported to the
hospital.”

Images from the incident posted on social media as the episode
unfolded appeared to show emergency workers treating someone on the
driveway of the Capitol. And a blue car could be seen rammed into
one of the security barricades outside the Capitol, with the
driver’s side door and trunk open.

One member of the news media, Jake Sherman, posted a video
showing a helicopter landing near the building, hovering a few feet
off the ground, then careening through trees as police vehicles
drove across the plaza. The official briefed on the incident, who
spoke on condition of anonymity, said at least one of the officers
had been medevaced to a hospital.

With Congress in recess, most lawmakers were not on Capitol
Hill, and President Biden had left Washington earlier in the day
for Camp David. But many staff aides were in and around the Capitol
working or receiving coronavirus vaccinations.

A reporter informed Jen Psaki, Mr. Biden’s spokeswoman, about
the incident during her daily press briefing at the White House.
She said Mr. Biden was accompanied on his trip by national security
aides who would update him on developments.

Shortly after 1 p.m., an alarm came and an alert was sent to all
staff members on Capitol Hill during a lull period as staffers were
preparing for the return of lawmakers later this month.

“Capitol: Due to an external security threat located All U.S.
Capitol Campus Buildings, no entry or exit is permitted at this
time. You may move throughout the building(s) but stay away from
exterior windows and doors. If you are outside, seek cover,” said a
message sent from the Capitol Police.

The attack came more than a week after officials removed a
perimeter fence topped with razor wire that had been placed around
the complex to guard against follow-up attacks, and re-opened the
streets surrounding the Capitol to vehicle traffic.

They also announced they would ramp down the National Guard
presence on Capitol Hill, reducing the number of troops to 2,200,
and extended their deployment until May 23.

An inner-perimeter fence around the actual Capitol building
remains in place while police and lawmakers continue to hash out a
long-term security plan.

Culled from https://www.nytimes.com/

A suspect was shot at the U.S. Capitol on Friday and was in
custody after striking and injuring two Capitol Police officers
with a vehicle near the heavily guarded northern entrance to the
building, according to a congressional official briefed by security
officials.

The Capitol was locked down and a National Guard quick-response
team as well as local police were on hand at the already heavily
fortified complex, as the Capitol Police instructed staff to remain
indoors, away from doors and windows.

Eyewitnesses posted videos of a large law enforcement response
in the most serious security incident at the complex since the
deadly Jan. 6 attack on the building that injured dozens and killed
five people.

“A suspect is in custody,” the Capitol Police said on Twitter.
“Both officers are injured. All three have been transported to the
hospital.”

Images from the incident posted on social media as the episode
unfolded appeared to show emergency workers treating someone on the
driveway of the Capitol. And a blue car could be seen rammed into
one of the security barricades outside the Capitol, with the
driver’s side door and trunk open.

One member of the news media, Jake Sherman, posted a video
showing a helicopter landing near the building, hovering a few feet
off the ground, then careening through trees as police vehicles
drove across the plaza. The official briefed on the incident, who
spoke on condition of anonymity, said at least one of the officers
had been medevaced to a hospital.

With Congress in recess, most lawmakers were not on Capitol
Hill, and President Biden had left Washington earlier in the day
for Camp David. But many staff aides were in and around the Capitol
working or receiving coronavirus vaccinations.

A reporter informed Jen Psaki, Mr. Biden’s spokeswoman, about
the incident during her daily press briefing at the White House.
She said Mr. Biden was accompanied on his trip by national security
aides who would update him on developments.

Shortly after 1 p.m., an alarm came and an alert was sent to all
staff members on Capitol Hill during a lull period as staffers were
preparing for the return of lawmakers later this month.

“Capitol: Due to an external security threat located All U.S.
Capitol Campus Buildings, no entry or exit is permitted at this
time. You may move throughout the building(s) but stay away from
exterior windows and doors. If you are outside, seek cover,” said a
message sent from the Capitol Police.

The attack came more than a week after officials removed a
perimeter fence topped with razor wire that had been placed around
the complex to guard against follow-up attacks, and re-opened the
streets surrounding the Capitol to vehicle traffic.

They also announced they would ramp down the National Guard
presence on Capitol Hill, reducing the number of troops to 2,200,
and extended their deployment until May 23.

An inner-perimeter fence around the actual Capitol building
remains in place while police and lawmakers continue to hash out a
long-term security plan.

Culled from https://www.nytimes.com/