At Least 1 Officer Killed In Vehicle Attack Outside U.S. Capitol

At least one U.S. Capitol Police officer has died after being struck by a suspect in a vehicle, USCP officials said Friday. 

Another officer was hospitalized with injuries, and the suspect is dead, acting USCP Chief Yogananda Pittman said. Officers reportedly shot the suspect when he exited the vehicle and lunged toward them with a knife. 

The incident took place at the northwestern entrance of the U.S. Capitol, where senators and staff normally enter the building. The outermost fenced perimeter police set up in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol was removed last week, opening the area to public traffic.

Congress is currently on recess and lawmakers are out of town. President Joe Biden is currently at Camp David receiving information about the incident, the White House said. 

Friday’s incident is the first attempted security breach since supporters of former President Donald Trump violently stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 in hopes of preventing lawmakers from certifying Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. More than 140 Capitol Police officers suffered injuries during the attack; five people died during or shortly after.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Igor Bobic contributed reporting.