(AP)
The US Capitol building has been placed on lockdown and a person was taken into custody after a vehicle rammed through a security barricade, injuring at least two police officers.
The United States Capitol Police Department wrote in a tweet at 1:26 p.m. local time: “USCP is responding to the North Barricade vehicle access point along Independence Avenue for reports someone rammed a vehicle into two USCP officers. A suspect is in custody. Both officers are injured. All three have been transported to the hospital. “
The Associated Press reported a suspect lunged at officers with a knife after emerging from the vehicle. The incident is the first major security breach since the January 6 riots, in which pro-Trump extremists stormed security barricades and attacked police officers as Congress convened to certify the results of the 2020 elections, killing five people.
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Helicopter landed at Capitol building amid security breach
Perhaps reflective of the advanced security efforts surrounding the Capitol building in the wake of the deadly January 6 riots, reporters noted a helicopter had landed behind the area during the latest security breach:
Chris Riotta2 April 2021 19:07
Video shows police presence on scene at Capitol Hill
A massive police and security presence was in the area as ambulance appeared to load two people on stretchers into vehicles:
Chris Riotta2 April 2021 19:05
US Capitol on lockdown after car rammed into two police officers and reports of gunshots
The Independent’s chief US correspondent Andrew Buncombe writes: The US Capitol building is under lockdown after a car rammed into two police officers. There were also reports of gunshots though they were not confirmed.
Three months after hundreds of supporters of Donald Trump stormed the building in an effort to stop the ratification of Joe Biden’s victory, the legislature was again the scene of intense anxiety amid another security threat.
The Capitol Police said it was responding to “the North Barricade vehicle access point along Independence Avenue for reports someone rammed a vehicle into two USCP officers”.
It added: “A suspect is in custody. Both officers are injured. All three have been transported to the hospital.”
Chris Riotta2 April 2021 18:57
USCP announces road closures
Capitol Police have posted the following road closures: Due to the external security threat at the North Barricade of the U.S. Capitol, the following road closures are in effect:
-Constitution Avenue between Second Street NE and First Street NW.
-First Street between Constitution Avenue NE and Independence Avenue SE.
Chris Riotta2 April 2021 18:55
Reports say suspect lunged at officers with knife
Reporters on the scene say the driver of the vehicle jumped at officers brandishing a knife before they were shot by Capitol police. The Independent has not yet reached USCP for comment.
Chris Riotta2 April 2021 18:53
Capitol Police post updates about vehicle incident
The United States Capitol Police Department wrote in a tweet at 1:26 p.m. local time: “USCP is responding to the North Barricade vehicle access point along Independence Avenue for reports someone rammed a vehicle into two USCP officers. A suspect is in custody. Both officers are injured. All three have been transported to the hospital. “
Chris Riotta2 April 2021 18:52
Vehicle photographed at scene of incident on Capitol Hill
Police are responding to a vehicle which rammed through a security barricade near the US Capitol.
Chris Riotta2 April 2021 18:51
