Man crashes car into Capitol barricade
photo fda.gov
April 28, 2021
On April 2, a man rammed his car into two officers at a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol, killing a Capitol police officer, before emerging with a knife in his hands. He then ran at additional police officers before he was shot. The other officer was injured.
It was later revealed that the fallen officer’s name was William F. Evans, an 18-year veteran of the force who was part of the First Responder’s Unit. The other officer, according to Politico, is in stable condition.
WYFF 4 News relayed information Capitol Police Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman told reporters, “I just ask that the public continue to keep U.S. Capitol police and their families in your prayers,” Pittman said. “This has been an extremely difficult time for U.S. Capitol police after the events of Jan. 6 and now the events that have occurred here today.”
The suspect of the crash was later pronounced dead in the hospital. Authorities said the crash isn’t believed to be related to terrorism.
According to WYFF 4 News, “The man had been suffering from delusions, paranoia and suicidal thoughts, a U.S. official told The Associated Press on [April 3]. Investigators believe it was an isolated incident from a disturbed young man.”
Although there was no ongoing threat, the Capitol was put on lockdown as a precaution. Authorities also stated there is no apparent connection to the Jan. 6 riot.
Post Gazette revealed the suspect’s identity as 25-year-old Noah Green. Law enforcement officials are also working to obtain warrants to access Green’s online accounts. Post Gazette stated,“Green described himself as a follower of the Nation of Islam and its founder, Louis Farrakhan, and spoke of going through a difficult time where he leaned on his faith, according to recent messages posted online that have since been taken down. The messages were captured by the group SITE, which tracks online activity.”
President Joe Biden said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken to learn of the attack, expressing condolences to Evans’s family. Since then, flags at the White House have been lowered to half-staff.
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