WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden said he and First Lady Jill Biden were “heartbroken” about the attack on the United States Capitol on Friday that left one officer dead and another injured.
“Jill and I were heartbroken to learn of the violent attack at a security checkpoint on the United States Capitol grounds, which killed United States Capitol Police Officer William Evans and let a comrade fight for his life “. President Biden said in a statement.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the family of Constable Evans and to all who mourn his loss.
Biden said he knew how difficult it was for the Capitol and all those who work there and protect it. Friday’s incident came about three months after the January 6 uprising that killed a Capitol Hill policeman and four others.
Biden released the statement from Presidential retreat from Camp David, where he spends the weekend. He expressed gratitude to Capitol Police and National Guard troops for responding quickly to the attack.
President Joe Biden also ordered that the American flags at the White House be reduced to half staff until April 6 in honor of a US Capitol police officer who was killed in the attack.
Meanwhile, law enforcement officials said “Terrorism is not suspected in a deadly confrontation outside the United States Capitol that began when a man slammed into his car in two officers at outside the Capitol, then came out wielding a knife.
Murdered US officer hailed as ‘martyr’
the Capitol Police Officer, who was killed in the attack, has been identified as an 18-year veteran of the force.
William Billy Evans joined the ministry in 2003 and was a member of his first responder unit. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hailed Evans as a ‘martyr for our democracy’, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was ‘heartbroken’.
The death is the last moment of sadness for a department after the loss of Brian Sicknick, who faced rioters in the January 6 uprising and died a day later, and Howard Liebengood, who committed suicide weeks later.
The video shows the driver of the crashed car emerging with a knife in his hand and starting to run at the two officers, acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman told reporters.
Authorities shot dead the suspect, identified by law enforcement as Noah Green, 25.
Investigators looked at his background and looked at whether he had a history of mental health issues as they tried to discern a pattern. They were working to get warrants to access his accounts online.
The crash and shooting took place at a security checkpoint near the Capitol generally used by senators and staff on weekdays, although most are away from the building during the current break.
The attack occurred approximately 100 meters (91 meters) from the entrance to the building on the Senate side of the Capitol. A witness, Reverend Patrick Mahoney, said he was finishing a Good Friday service nearby when he suddenly heard three gunshots.
It comes as the Washington area remains at the forefront almost three months after a host of armed insurgents loyal to former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol as Congress voted to certify presidential victory by Joe Biden.
Five people died in the January 6 riot, including Capitol Hill policeman Brian Sicknick, who was among the outnumbered forces trying to fight insurgents seeking to overthrow the election.
Authorities put up a high perimeter fence around the Capitol and for months limited traffic along the roads closest to the building, but had started to withdraw some of the emergency measures in recent weeks. The fences that prevented vehicular traffic near this area have recently been removed.
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