A man drove his car into a barricade near the US Capitol and then started shooting through the air before shooting himself.
A man drove his car into a barricade near the US Capitol early Sunday morning. (AP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- A man drove his car into a barricade near the US Capitol early Sunday morning
- He then started firing shots in the air before shooting himself dead
- The incident happened at a barricade located on East Capitol Street
A man drove his car into a barricade near the US Capitol early Sunday morning and then started shooting through the air before shooting himself, police said.
The incident happened just before 4 a.m. at a barricade located at East Capitol Street NE and 2nd Street SE in Washington.
It comes at a time when law enforcement agencies across the country are facing increasing threats and federal officials have warned of the possibility of violent attacks on government buildings. government in the days since the FBI raided former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago. estate in Florida.
The attack is reminiscent of an incident when a man drove his car into two Capitol Police officers at a checkpoint in April 2021, killing an 18-year veteran of the force. And many on Capitol Hill remained active after supporters of the then-president stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Authorities said the man, whose identity has not been released, hit a barricade and when he got out of the car, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The man then opened fire, firing multiple shots into the air as police approached.
Capitol Police said the man shot himself as officers approached. He was later declared dead.
Police said “it appears the man is targeting any member of Congress” and investigators are reviewing the man’s background as they work to try to find a motive. . Both the House and Senate were in recess and very few staff members were working in the Capitol complex at that hour.
Authorities said no other injuries were reported and police do not believe any officers returned fire.
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