Police/Crime/Fire  

Local Leaders Express Condolences for Officer Killed Outside U.S. Capitol

State and local leaders have taken to social media to express condolences for U.S. Capitol Police Officer William “Billy” Evans who was killed when a man in a car rammed into a police barricade. The incident took place shortly after 1 p.m. outside the U.S. Capitol on Constitution Avenue. Evans succumbed to his injuries and another officer was injured.

Yogananda Pittman, the acting chief of U.S. Capitol Police, told reporters the suspect then exited the vehicle and ran toward officers with a knife. He was then shot by a Capitol Police officer and was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital where he died from his wounds.

Capitol Police tweeted that the other officer who was struck by a car is in stable condition and does not have life threatening injuries.

The attack on the officers comes almost three months after the Jan. 6 violent insurrection at the Capitol led to amped up security, barricades and the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops — many of whom are still deployed in D.C.

President Joe Biden ordered White House flags to be lowered to half-staff and issued a statement offering condolences to Evans’ family.

“Jill and I were heartbroken to learn of the violent attack at a security checkpoint on the U.S. Capitol grounds, which killed Officer William Evans of the U.S. Capitol Police, and left a fellow officer fighting for his life,” Biden said. “I want to express the nation’s gratitude to the Capitol Police, the National Guard Immediate Response Force, and others who quickly responded to this attack.”

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan tweeted that the state was ready to provide any assistance necessary. “We are horrified by the death of another US Capitol Police Officer in the line of duty,” Hogan tweeted.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich also offered condolences, tweeting, “The sympathies of @MontgomeryCoMD
are with the @CapitolPolice today as another tragic and fatal incident has occurred at “The People’s House.” We must stop this violence. We must combat the mental health challenges that is at the root of these crimes.”

Here’s at several other statements of condolences from state and county leaders:

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