(credit: Gary Raynaldo ©Diplomatic Times) National Guard troops on duty in front of U.S. Capitol building fortified with barricaded fencing and razor wire in Washington D.C. March 4, 2021
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON DC – A Capitol Police officer was killed Friday after vehicle “rammed” into a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol complex. The suspect, who was shot by police, also died. The U.S. Capital is on lockdown following the incident that occurred at the complex’s northern barricade at approximately 1:00 p.m. Acting U.S. Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said that the unidentified male suspect exited the car with a knife in his hand and “lunged” toward the officers. He was shot by police and taken into custody and all three were transported to the hospital, Pittman said.
Statement on the Loss of USCP Colleague Officer William "Billy" Evans: https://t.co/JMAEbTcbAp pic.twitter.com/DPvkAv5ptO
— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) April 2, 2021
UPDATE: Here is the latest information. pic.twitter.com/GOVaMv8EXk
— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) April 2, 2021
U.S. Capital on High Alert Amid Right Wing Militia Plot To Breach Building
By Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times) U.S. Capital in Washington D.C. with razor wire on a perimeter fence surrounding the entire historical building.
The U.S. Capital Police has been on high alert since it reportedly came in possession of intelligence of a potential plot by a militia group to storm the historical building again the infamous January 6 insurrection. Three months ago, Trump loyalists stormed the Capital in an act of unprecedented violence many dubbed as domestic terrorism. The U.S. Capital remains a fortress patrolled by thousands of National Guard troops and police with sharp razor wire on a perimeter fence surrounding the building to deter any more potential violence following the infamous Trump-inspired riot. March 4 was supposed to be the day Donald Trump would be restored to the presidency and unleash a holy war of sorts on all his political enemies. It did not happen obviously.
(credit: Gary Raynaldo ©Diplomatic Times) Police with assault rifles on duty at the U.S. Capital Washington D.C. on March 4, 2021 -the day Donald Trump was somehow going be forcibly restored to the presidency and unleash a holy war of sorts on all his political enemies. It did not happen obviously.
Pentagon Extends Deployment of National Guard at U.S. Capital Amid Security Concerns
U.S. Airmen and Soldiers with the Alaska National Guard assist local authorities with security near the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2021. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Mike Risinger)
Last month, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III approved a request by the U.S. Capitol Police for continued National Guard support through May 23, 2021. The request was made amid security concerns of further violence following January’s deadly insurrection at the iconic building. About 5,100 National Guard members remain in D.C., down from the approximately 25,000 that were brought in for President Biden’s inauguration.
