'Violence Is Never The Answer': Hillsborough Mayor, Committee

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough Township Mayor Shawn Lipani and Committee members said, "violence is never the answer" when referring to the actions of rioters at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

"What is transpiring today in Washington DC, is categorically unacceptable and has no place in a civil society. Violence is never the answer and should not be tolerated. That was true over the summer and remains true today," said Hillsborough Township Mayor and Committee in a statement.

Protesters stormed their way into the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to halt the Electoral College certification of Joe Biden as the next president of the United States. The move overwhelmed Capitol Police, who evacuated members of Congress as violence escalated. Read More: Trump Mob Breach Locked Down Capitol; 1 Shot In Melee

One person was treated for a gunshot wound at the Capitol, a Washington, D.C., paramedic told the Washington, D.C., Fox News affiliate. CNN cited two sources saying the woman was in critical condition.

"We are hopeful for a peaceful and safe resolution for this crisis. We are in full support of all those individuals who are attempting to restore order in this dangerous situation," according to the Hillsborough Township Mayor and Committee.

The Somerset County Board of Commissioners called the riots at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. "an attack on democracy, and an attack on our country, this is an attack on the freedoms we all hold dear."

"The Somerset County Board of Commissioners are heartbroken by the images we are seeing coming from Washington D.C. of a violent mob attempting to take over the United States Capital Building. For 250 years the United States of America has been the global standard for the peaceful transfer of power based on the will of the voters. Today's actions, due to a lack of display of true leadership, puts us at risk of losing that," said the commissioners in a statement.

Congressman Tom Malinowski, who represents parts of Somerset County, also is reportedly safe and locked down inside Capital Hill as protestors forced their way into the chambers of Congress, according to his spokeswoman Amanda Osborne

In a News 12 interview, Malinowski says he was in the house chamber when the first breach occurred before everyone was evacuated by the capital police.

"The most important thing is that the situation for us is under control. The situation for our country's democracy is obviously not under control," said Malinowski in the News 12 interview. "The President of the United States encouraged a violent attack on the United States capital. This is without precedent in American history and a mark of tremendous shame for all those who tolerated this behavior leading up to today."

Watch the full interview below:

President Donald Trump tweeted a video around 4:20 p.m. asking protestors to "go home in peace." Twitter has since banned Trump's account for 12 hours, and warned for the first time that it may suspend him permanently, according to CNN.com.

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