Slain Capitol Police Officer Identified After Driver Rams Barrier

Updated at 5:02 p.m. Friday

WASHINGTON, DC — A driver was shot to death by officers after he rammed a vehicle into two U.S. Capitol Police officers at a barrier shortly after 1 p.m. Friday, according to the police department.

The officer who died from injuries suffered in the confrontation has been identified as William "Billy" Evans, who had been with the Capitol Police department for 18 years.

The driver, in a blue sedan, was shot by Capitol Police and later died from his injuries at an area hospital, authorities said at a news conference. CNN has identified the driver as 25-year-old Noah Green.

The driver was holding a knife when he got out of the vehicle and lunged at the officers. At least one U.S. Capitol Police officer fired at the driver, inflicting a fatal wound, officials said.

One of the police officers was transported by a Capitol Police cruiser to the hospital. The other officer was transported by the D.C. Fire and EMS to the hospital. Evans died from his injuries.

The police officer who died, Evans, was taken to George Washington University Hospital in Northwest D.C. Evans lived in Burke with his wife and two children.

"I’m heartbroken for the officer killed today defending our Capitol and for his family," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a tweet Friday. "I’m praying for the officer injured and his family."

The suspect also was transported by D.C. Fire and EMS to a hospital where he died from his injuries around 1:30 p.m., the police said.

CNN is reporting that Evans suffered fatal injuries when the suspect rammed his car into him.

According to a social media profile under Green’s name, which reportedly was taken down shortly after the incident, he recently lived in Virginia, was unemployed and was a member of the Nation of Islam who called himself Noah X.

In two Facebook posts on March 17, Green reportedly said he had lost his job, was suffering symptoms that he thought were side effects of drugs he was ingesting “unknowingly,” and was “in search of a spiritual journey.”

Robert Contee, acting chief of the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, said his department will take over the investigation into the shooting death. He said it does not appear that the crash into the barrier was a terror attack.

The police officer's death comes almost three months after Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick died in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump. Two other officers — Capitol Police officer Howard Liebengood and Metropolitan Police Department officer Jeffrey Smith — died by suicide in the days after the insurrection.

The incident occurred along Constitution Ave. at the North Barricade security checkpoint to the U.S. Capitol complex. The Capitol was placed in full lockdown as police arrived on the scene.

The crash and shooting happened as Congress is on recess.

Yogananda Pittman, the acting chief of U.S. Capitol Police, said at a news conference that the driver got out of the vehicle with a knife in his hand, did not respond to commands from police, lunged at the officers, and police fired.

"It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Officer William 'Billy' Evans this afternoon from injuries he sustained following an attack at the North Barricade by a lone assailant," Pittman said in a statement Friday.

Evans began his service with the Capitol Police in March 2003, and was a member of the Capitol Division's First Responder's Unit.

The incident occurred about 100 yards from the entrance of the building on the Senate side of the Capitol. AP reports the security checkpoint is typically used by senators and staff on weekdays. Fencing that prevented vehicular traffic near that area was recently removed.

Capitol staff received a text alert from the Capitol Police telling them there would be no entry or exit permitted and to stay away from exterior doors and windows. "If you are outside seek cover," the message read.

Aaron Fritschner, a staff member in the office of Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), said in a tweet that the last time Capitol staff received a similar warning was on Jan. 6.

As of 2 p.m., National Guard soldiers had been mobilized to secure the Capitol complex, which remained on lockdown until about 3:15 p.m., when it was lifted.

President Joe Biden has ordered flags at the White House to be flown at half-staff. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) also ordered flags at the Capitol to be flown at half-staff in honor of Evans.

“Today, America’s heart has been broken by the tragic and heroic death of one of our Capitol Police heroes: Officer William Evans," Pelosi said in a statement Friday. "He is a martyr for our democracy."

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), who led the first impeachment case against Trump, said in a statement that he was "horrified that tragedy has again struck the Capitol, and a U.S. Capitol Police officer has been killed and another injured."

"I am heartbroken for Capitol Police, who have already endured so much," Schiff said in a tweet.

The Washington Metropolitan Police Department announced Friday afternoon that street closures are in place as police investigate the incident. The closed roads are Maryland Ave. NE and Constitution Ave NE westbound toward the Capitol.

In a statement, the MPD said "our hearts are heavy as we mourn the line of duty death of a Capitol Police officer during today’s tragic events at the U.S. Capitol. The men and women of MPD offer our condolences, thoughts and prayers to USCP for their loss and to the officer’s family and friends."

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