Two killed after a car struck police officers outside the US Capitol.

A car collided with a barricade in front of the US Capitol on Friday afternoon (US time), killing one officer and wounding another.

The driver of the vehicle was first reported to be in critical condition, but has now died.

The accident and shooting occurred at a checkpoint near the Capitol while Congress was in recess.

The Washington region remains nervous nearly three months after a mob of armed insurgents stormed the Capitol as Congress voted to certify Joe Biden’s presidential victory.

Capitol Police said someone “drove into two USCP officers” and a suspect was taken into custody, but has since died.

Law enforcement officials told the AP that the suspect was shot and taken to hospital in critical condition. One of the agents who was injured was taken by police vehicle to the hospital; the other was being transported by emergency medical teams, officials said.

At a press conference a few minutes later, authorities announced that one of the officers had died.

The US Capitol complex was closed after the shooting and staff were told they could not enter or leave the buildings. Since then, the blockade has been lifted.

The incident occurred about 90 meters from the building’s entrance on the Senate side of the Capitol. The fence that blocked vehicular traffic near that area was recently removed when the Capitol began to open after the January 6 riots.

Senators and staff often use the security checkpoint during the week.

Video posted online showed a dark-colored sedan crashing into the barrier of a vehicle and a K9 policeman inspecting the vehicle. Law enforcement officers and paramedics could be seen caring for at least one unidentified person.

President Nancy Pelosi ordered the Capitol flags to fly at half mast in honor of the officer killed in the attack.

– with AP