Picture : Twitter / ANI
The White House flag has been lowered to half-staff following the death of William ‘Billy’ Evans, an 18-year United States Capitol Police veteran killed on Friday afternoon after a man rammed a vehicle into a police barricade outside the Capitol building.
According to CNN, US President Joe Biden reacted to the incident saying he and first lady Jill Biden are heartbroken.
‘Jill and I were heartbroken to learn of the violent attack at a security checkpoint on the US Capitol grounds, which killed Officer William Evans of the US Capitol Police, and left a fellow officer fighting for his life,’ Biden said.
‘We send our heartfelt condolences to Officer Evans’ family, and everyone grieving his loss. We know what a difficult time this has been for the Capitol, everyone who works there, and those who protect it,’ the President said.
‘I have been receiving ongoing briefings from my Homeland Security Advisor, and will be getting further updates as the investigation proceeds,’ he added.
Biden also said he has ordered that the White House flags be lowered to half-mast.
Vice president Kamala Harris to tweeted her condolences
In an inexplicable act of violence, a brave US Capitol Police Officer, William Evans, was killed in the line of duty while another officer fights for his life. Officer Evans made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the Capitol. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) April 2, 2021
Earlier, Capitol Police officer was killed and another injured after a man rammed his car into a security barrier outside the United States Capitol and then got out of the vehicle and lunged towards the officers with a knife, setting off a major security scare nearly three months after the January 6 insurrection by pro-Trump supporters.
The 25-year-old suspect, identified as Noah Green, was shot dead by the Capitol Police.
“The incident happened around 1.02 pm on Friday (local time), when the suspect rammed his car into two of our officers and then hit the north barricade barrier. The suspect exited the vehicle with a knife in hand,” Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman told reporters at a news conference.
At that time, the Capitol Police officers engaged that suspect, she said.
“He did not respond to verbal commands. The suspect did start lunging toward US Capitol Police officers, at which US Capitol Police officers fired upon the suspect. At this time, the suspect has been pronounced deceased,” Pittman said.
Two US Capitol Police officers were transported to two different hospitals. One of them succumbed to his injuries, she said.
