Lawmakers express horror at latest Capitol attack

Lawmakers in Washington expressed horror at the latest attack on Capitol Hill on Friday that killed one police officer and wounded another.

Police say a man drove a car into two Capitol Police officers before hitting a barricade on the north side of the Capitol complex. He then allegedly exited the vehicle and lunged at officers with a knife before being fatally shot.

Members of both parties noted the attack came less than three months after the Jan. 6 riot on Capitol Hill during Congress’s certification of the Electoral College results from the presidential race.

That attack resulted in the death of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, while two other officers who responded to the mob — one from Capitol Police, and another from the Metropolitan Police Department — died by suicide in the days after the insurrection.

“The question we have to ask is what is happening in our country, where we have people coming in, trying to use violence and knives and arms into the heart of American democracy, a monument of American democracy?” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said on MSNBC. “Our country was founded to prevent violence, to say we solve disputes with debate and reasoned dialogue, and something is really just wrong with our nation.”

“The news from the Capitol is heartbreaking. Our @CapitolPolice have been through way too much this year, and they continue to sacrifice for our protection. My sincerest condolences to the families of the fallen and injured officers,” added Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah).

The news from the Capitol is heartbreaking. Our @CapitolPolice have been through way too much this year, and they continue to sacrifice for our protection. My sincerest condolences to the families of the fallen and injured officers. #utpol

— Rep. Blake Moore (@RepBlakeMoore) April 2, 2021

Lawmakers and law enforcement are still sifting through what happened on Jan. 6, with members of Congress pressing for more information regarding the events leading up to the riot and how the mob was able to ransack the Capitol.

Some Democrats and Republicans have criticized the Capitol Police for what they say is sluggishness in providing updates on their investigations, but lawmakers Friday were quick to express support for the agency after another one of its officers died in the line of duty.

“I’m heartbroken for the officer killed today defending our Capitol and for his family. I’m praying for the officer injured and his family. We’re in their debt,” tweeted Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).

“My heart goes out to the loved ones of the officer tragically killed and the entire @CapitolPolice community in mourning one of their own,” added Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). “USCP has endured so much these last months. Keeping those injured today and the entire force in my thoughts.”

My heart goes out to the loved ones of the officer tragically killed and the entire @CapitolPolice community in mourning one of their own. USCP has endured so much these last months. Keeping those injured today and the entire force in my thoughts. https://t.co/oExmpi2xAk

— Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) April 2, 2021

“Our prayers are with the officer’s family as well as the officer who was wounded. We are grateful for the brave men & women who risk their lives every day to keep the Capitol safe,” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) also tweeted.

Susan and I are heartbroken to learn that a @CapitolPolice Officer was killed in the line of duty. Our prayers are with the officer’s family as well as the officer who was wounded. We are grateful for the brave men & women who risk their lives every day to keep the Capitol safe. https://t.co/kjoO7w7w2s

— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) April 2, 2021

The officer who died Friday has been identified as William Evans, an 18-year veteran of the Capitol Police force.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called Evans “a martyr for our democracy” and ordered flags at the Capitol to fly at half-staff.

Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said the suspect in Friday’s attack was not previously known to Capitol Police “so there’s no indication at this time that there’s any nexus to any member of Congress.”

Acting Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee III added that the attack “does not appear to be terrorism-related, but obviously we’ll continue to investigate to see if there’s some type of nexus.”