Car Rams Capitol Barricade; Officer, Suspect Dead

Another deadly day at the Capitol: A driver rammed a police barricade outside the building Friday afternoon, killing a Capitol Police officer and injuring another, reports the Washington Post. The unidentified driver was fatally shot in the incident, per the AP. Police say the driver rammed into the barricade, then emerged from the car with a knife and lunged at the two officers before being shot. The incident took place less than three months after rioters descended on the Capitol and entered the building. One difference this time: Congress was not in session on Friday. President Biden, for his part, had left DC for Camp David. More:

• Robert Contee, acting chief of DC metro police, said the incident "does not appear to be terrorism related," per NBC News. He did not elaborate on a possible motive, and police say the suspect was not previously known to them.

• “Praying for the United States Capitol Police officers who were attacked at the Capitol,” tweeted Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. “We are still learning what’s taken place.”
• Nancy Pelosi ordered Capitol flags to half-staff in honor of the slain officer, reports Axios.
• The Capitol complex was put into lockdown after the incident around 1pm. At 2:30pm, police said the situation had been "neutralized," though it still forbid people from entering or exiting the Capitol, reports the New York Times.
• About two weeks ago, authorities removed an outer-perimeter fence at the building, though an inner-perimeter fence remained in place, notes the Post. National Guard troops also remain at the Capitol, though in smaller numbers than in the days following the riot.
• “I just ask that the public continue to keep US Capitol police and their families in your prayers," said acting Chief Yogananda Pittman. "This has been an extremely difficult time for US Capitol police after the events of January 6, and now the events that have occurred here today."

(More US Capitol stories.)