Security tightened at U.S. Capitol after officer killed

The U.S. Capitol building was being fortified Saturday and security beefed up, as flags flew at half-mast, one day after a motorist rammed his car into a security barrier, killing 18-year Capitol Police veteran William Evans.

Officials said another officer was hospitalized due to injuries, and was in a stable and non-life threatening condition.

Work crews were busy reinstalling high, razor-wire-topped fencing around the Capitol complex and installing additional concrete barriers along the fencing.

Some of those extra security measures were put in place after the deadly January 6th riots, where thousands of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol. But some of the fencing and barriers had been taken down in recent weeks amid a political debate over how much was needed to guard what is known as The People’s House.

Friday’s attack, however, reignited concerns that the Capitol building is not secure enough.

Several media outlets identified the suspect, who was shot and killed at the scene, as 25-year-old Noah Green. A family member told the Washington Post that Green struggled with drug use and paranoia.

Here’s Yogananda Pittman, acting chief of the U.S. Capitol Police:

"The suspect exited the vehicle with a knife in hand. Our officers then engaged that suspect. He did not respond to verbal commands. The suspect did start lunging toward US Capitol Police officers, at which time US Capitol Police officers fired upon the suspect."

Police said the attack did not appear to be terrorism-related.

National Guard troops, however, who have been stationed at the Capitol since the January attack, were quickly deployed to the scene and retained a visible presence across the Capitol complex on Saturday.