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US Capitol Under Lockdown After Car Rammed Into Police Officers

US Capitol Under Lockdown After Car Rammed Into Police Officers

A car crashed into a barricade, injuring two officers

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

The US Capitol building and its surrounding area have been put on lockdown after a car rammed a barricade at the country's political centre in Washington, D.C. earlier today.

Two Capitol Police officers were injured during the incident, with one being taken to hospital by car while the second was transported by emergency medical crews.

The driver of the car reportedly jumped out of the car brandishing a knife and was shot. He was then taken to hospital where they are in a critical condition.

Authorities say the incident happened at a checkpoint close to the Capitol building.

As a result, the Capitol was placed in lockdown and staff were not allowed to enter the building.

It comes as the Washington region remains on edge nearly three months after a mob of armed insurrectionists stormed the Capitol as Congress was voting to certify Joe Biden's presidential win.

PA

Fencing that prevented vehicular traffic near that area was recently removed as the Capitol has started to open up after the 6 January riots.

Thousands of Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol following a MAGA march where the former President spoke about the US election being stolen from the public.

Five people died in the attack: police officer Brian Sicknick, and Trump supporters 42, Ashli Babbitt, 35, Benjamin Phillips, 50, Kevin Greeson, 55, and Rosanne Boyland, 34.

Following the attack, the then President-elect Biden addressed the nation, calling for peace.

In the broadcast, he said: "At this hour, our democracy is under unprecedented assault unlike anything we've seen in modern times.

PA

"Let me be very clear, the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect the true America, do not represent who we are. What we're seeing are a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness.

"This is not dissent, it's disorder, it's chaos. It borders on sedition. And it must end. Now. I call on this mob to pull back and allow the work of democracy to go forward.

"You've heard me say before in different context - the words of a president matter. No matter how good or bad that president is. At their best, the words of a president can inspire. At their worst, they can incite."

Adding: "They stormed the Capitol, they smashed windows, to occupy offices, the floor of the United States Senate, rummaging through desks.

"It's not protests, it's insurrection. The world's watching like so many other Americans. I'm generally shocked and saddened of our nation - so long the beacon of light and hope for democracy has come to such a dark moment."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Police, Hospital, US News, crime, Ambulance, Politics