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By The Washington Post 
April 2, 2021
Peter Hermann, Aaron C. Davis and Matt Zapotosky
Washington – A Capitol police officer was killed and another injured Friday when a vehicle collided with them near the US Capitol, the department chief said at a news conference.
Chief Yogananda Pittman said a person left the vehicle with a knife and began to jump. He said the police opened fire and killed the suspect.
It was not immediately clear how the officer was fatally injured.
The incident that occurred around 1 p.m. comes less than three months after the Jan. 6 uprising at the Capitol left five dead, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. Two policemen who had been in the riot later died by suicide.
It also comes two weeks after police authorities removed an exterior perimeter fence, opening up Independencia and Constitución avenues to traffic. An interior perimeter fence remains around the complex.
On Friday, all buildings in the US Capitol complex were closed. Authorities said Attorney General Merrick Garland has been informed of the incident and is monitoring the investigation.
The FBI said in a statement that its Washington field office is responding and providing support to the Capitol Police.
The blocks near the Capitol building were once again filled with law enforcement officers as the area was secured. Just before 2 p.m., two dozen National Guard soldiers formed a line across Independence Avenue, wearing helmets and bulletproof vests and plastic shields.
Barricades and armed members of the National Guard, along with DC police patrols, prevented vehicles and pedestrians from heading east on Constitution Avenue NE.
The United States Capitol Police said on Twitter that the incident occurred at an access point along Constitution Avenue.
When the incident occurred, the police alerted staff members: “Due to an external security threat located in all buildings on the US Capitol campus, no entry or exit is allowed at this time.” said the alert. “You can move around the building (s) but stay away from exterior windows and doors. If you are outside, seek shelter.”
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