Poli Alert Political & Civics
Related Articles
A man set his car on fire, drove into a barricade near the US Capitol and started shooting in the air before shooting himself early Sunday morning, according to US Capitol Police.
The incident took place at about 11 a.m. Israel Time at a barricade at East Capitol and Second streets.
According to police, the man drove his car into the barricade and his car became engulfed in flames as he exited his vehicle. He proceeded to fire several shots in the air along East Capitol Street and then shot himself as US Capitol Police approached him.
“At this time, it does not appear the man was targeting any members of Congress, who are on recess, and it does not appear officers fired their weapons,” said police.
Several hours after the incident, Capitol Police identified the suspect as 29-year-old Richard A. York III of Delaware. Capitol Police noted in a statement that “it is still not clear why he chose to drive to the Capitol Complex.”
Congress is currently on recess until after Labor Day.
Similar incident last year
In April of last year, a motorist rammed a car into US Capitol Police and brandished a knife, killing one officer and injuring another and forcing the Capitol complex to lockdown in an attack that police said did not appear to be terrorism-related.
Police shot and killed the suspect.
