Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III briefs the press from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Washington, D.C., Feb. 19, 2021. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders).

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III offered his condolences to Capitol Police and to the family of the officer killed in today’s deadly incident on Capitol Hill.  A  Capitol Police officer was killed Friday afternoon after vehicle “rammed” into a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol complex. The suspect, who was shot by police, also died. 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. 

“On behalf of the men and women of the Department of Defense, I offer my deepest condolences to the Capitol Police and to the family of the officer killed in today’s tragic incident on Capitol Hill.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this loss, and we offer our best wishes for a speedy recovery of the injured officer.  Events like this remind us of the bravery and skill of law enforcement professionals and of our shared commitment to protecting and defending this great country and its institutions.  I remain enormously proud of our National Guard troops supporting the Capitol Police and grateful for their quick reaction this afternoon.”

-U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin

Two US Capitol Police officers were taken to different hospitals with injuries and one died, police said. The officer who died in the attack near the Capitol building was identified as William “Billy” Evans, an 18-year US Capitol Police veteran,

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