U.S. Capitol On Lockdown After Car Rams Officers, Police Say : NPR
U.S. Capitol Police officers stand near a car that crashed into a barrier on Capitol Hill on Friday in Washington, D.C.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
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J. Scott Applewhite/AP
U.S. Capitol Police officers stand near a car that crashed into a barrier on Capitol Hill on Friday in Washington, D.C.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Two U.S. Capitol Police officers are injured after a car apparently rammed them at a barricade at the Capitol on Friday afternoon, Capitol Police said.
“USCP is responding to the North Barricade vehicle access point along Independence Avenue for reports someone rammed a vehicle into two USCP officers,” USCP said in a statement on Twitter. “A suspect is in custody. Both officers are injured. All three have been transported to the hospital.”
Capitol Police later said the incident occurred at Constitution Avenue.
Video from reporters at the scene posted on Twitter appeared to show a car that had crashed into a barrier. In the videos, at least two people were carried on stretchers into waiting ambulances.
The U.S. Capitol was placed under lockdown amid what Capitol Police described as “an external security threat.”
No entry or exit is being permitted, and police said: “If you are outside, seek cover.”
The incident occurred as both the House and Senate were in recess, though both buildings have staff – and reporters — working inside. Several lawmakers took to Twitter to share thoughts and prayers for those at the building as the situation unfolded.
President Biden was in Camp David, Md., when the incident took place, according to the White House.
A statement from the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department said: “A call came in at approximately 1:05 pm to the unit block of Constitution Ave, NE, for the report of a possible shooting.” MPD provided no other details.
The FBI’s Washington, D.C., field office said it had “responded to an incident at the U.S. Capitol” and is providing support to Capitol Police.
The incident comes less than three months after the Jan. 6 riot that exposed serious flaws in the Capitol’s security apparatus.
NPR Deputy Washington Editor Krishnadev Calamur contributed reporting.
This is a developing story. Some facts reported by the media may later turn out to be wrong. We will focus on reports from police officials and other authorities, credible news outlets and reporters who are at the scene. We will update as the situation develops.
