Updated: 4 Die At US Capitol; Bowser Extends Public Emergency

Updated (Jan. 6, 11:35 p.m.) Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an order Wednesday night to extend her public emergency for D.C. residents for a total of 15 days.

Earlier in the day, Bowser had declared a public emergency and a curfew from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday as part of a public safety measure in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol. Under her new order, the public emergency runs through 3 p.m on Jan. 21.

Bowser and her public safety team hosted a news conference at 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday to brief the public about the city's response to the unrest at the U.S. Capitol.

"To our fellow Americans, I know that I speak for all of us when I say that we saw an unprecedented attack on our American democracy incited by the United States president," she said. "And he must be held accountable. His constant and divisive rhetoric led to the abhorrent actions we saw today and sadly it led to the loss of a life that will forever stain what could have been and what should have been a peaceful transfer of power."

Around 2:46 p.m., protesters breached fencing around the Capitol grounds and confronted police lines, according to Chief Robert Contee of the Metropolitan Police Department. Multiple individuals forced their way into the building and attempted to enter the House chamber.

Plainclothes Capitol Police officers confronted the protesters and, during the scuffle, a Capitol police officer discharged their weapon. A round struck a woman, who was transported to an area hospital for treatment. All lifesaving efforts failed and she was pronounced dead.

KUSI News confirmed that Ashli Babbit, a 14-year veteran, was shot and killed at the Capitol.

Contee said that the shooting was under investigation by MPD's Internal Affairs Division, which investigates all officer-involved shootings in the District no matter which agency is involved.

Three other deaths were reported Wednesday in the area around the Capitol grounds.

"One adult female and two adult males appeared to have suffered from separate medical emergencies which resulted in their deaths," Contee said.

Contee reported that Congress and the Senate had reconvened around 8 p.m. after MPD and U.S. Capitol Police had regained control by sweeping the U.S. Capitol of trespassers and establishing a secure perimeter around the building.

MPD received assistance from the National Guard, Virginia State Police, Maryland State Police, and New Jersey State Police, as well as police departments from Arlington County, Fairfax County, and Prince William County in Virginia, and Montgomery County and Prince Georges County in Maryland.

"Shortly past 7:15 p.m., police personnel from local jurisdictions began assisting MPD in securing the perimeter around the Capitol building," Contee said. "This allowed our members to become mobile in order to enforce the mayor's 6 p.m. curfew."

MPD's goal with the curfew was to obtain voluntary compliance from members of the public, according to Contee. When police met resistance, they would take individuals into custody.

As of 9:30 p.m., MPD had made more than 52 arrests. Four arrests were for carrying pistols without licenses, one arrest was for possession of a prohibited weapon, and 47 arrests were for curfew violations and unlawful entry. Twenty-six of the 52 arrests were made on U.S. Capitol grounds.

MPD also recovered two pipebombs, one from Democratic National Committee headquarters and another from Republican National Committee headquarters. In addition, police recovered a cooler with a long gun and Molotov cocktails from the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. So far, police have recovered six guns on Wednesday, three on Tuesday night, and a stun gun.

During the news conference, Contee said MPD was still responding to calls for service as it continued enforcing the curfew around the city.

Earlier reporting:

WASHINGTON, DC — As law enforcement officers prepared to regain control of the U.S. Capitol early Wednesday evening, Mayor Muriel Bowser urged District residents to stay home and stay calm.

“The behavior that we’re witnessing is shameful, unpatriotic, and above all it is unlawful," Bowser said, during a 4:30 p.m. press conference at the city’s emergency operations center. "Anyone who has engaged in these activities or continues to engage in these activities, will be held accountable. There will be law and order and this behavior will not be tolerated.”

Around 12 noon, protesters marched to the U.S. Capitol building following a speech by President Trump in front of the White House. Inside, members of Congress were planning to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election declaring Biden the winner of the Electoral College by a margin of 306-232. Biden's inauguration is Jan. 20.

"As the demonstrators approached the United States Capitol grounds, there was a noticeable change in their demeanor," Contee said. "They breeched the fencing along the U.S. Capitol grounds and confronted police lines surrounding the building."

The Capitol Police requested MPD's assistance in crowd management. Because of the resistance police encountered and the determination the demonstrators showed in gaining access to the building, a riot was declared, according to Contee.

"It was clear that the crowd was intent on causing harm to our officers by deploying chemical irritants on police to force entry into the United States Capitol Building," Contee said.

The police chief confirmed that one civilian suffered a gunshot wound as the demonstrators gained entry to the building. Further details about the shooting were not available and the situation remains under investigation.

Bowser has requested assistance from the Maryland and Virginia state police departments, and both governors are sending troopers to the District. The New Jersey State Police will also be assisting MPD. Contee will be leading the command to clear the Capitol and establish a perimeter around the building.

In the interest of public safety, Bowser has ordered a citywide curfew from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday. No person other than those designated by the mayor can walk, bike, run loiter, stand, or travel by car or other mode of transportation on any District street, alley, park, or other public place.

The curfew does not apply to essential workers, including working media with outlet-issued credentials, when they are engaged in essential functions or traveling to and from their essential work. Due to the curfew, WMATA will be ending bus and rail service early Wednesday night.

Contee confirmed several MPD officers had been injured by protesters, but they are being treated and helping law enforcement to regain control of the Capitol building.

"We advise everyone who is not engaged in essential activity to get off the streets and adhere to the curfew," Contee said. "If you are found to be in violation of the curfew, police will be required to take action."

Around 5:30 p.m., Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew for Alexandria and Arlington. He also issued a State of Emergency in Virginia.

Ronald Reagan National Airport remains open and is operating normally. Employees are allowed to travel to and from the airport for essential purposes.

At the request of @AlexandriaVAGov and @ArlingtonVA, I am declaring a 6PM to 6AM curfew in these jurisdictions, with limited exceptions.

I am also issuing a State of Emergency in Virginia, so we can continue to respond.
— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) January 6, 2021

Also see ...

Metro Service To Close Early Due To Curfew

Trump Mob Breaches Capitol; 1 Shot In Melee; Biden Decries Riot