Man drives into barricade near US Capitol, shoots himself

The background of the incident was unclear, although police say it does not appear members of Congress were the target.

A blue car is seen after ramming a police barricade outside the US Capitol building in an incident that reportedly resulted in the death of one Capitol police officer, the injury of another officer and the death of the driver as a result of police gunfire on Capitol Hill in Washington. (photo credit: Carlos Barria/Reuters)
A blue car is seen after ramming a police barricade outside the US Capitol building in an incident that reportedly resulted in the death of one Capitol police officer, the injury of another officer and the death of the driver as a result of police gunfire on Capitol Hill in Washington.
(photo credit: Carlos Barria/Reuters)

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.

The US Capitol Building can be seen from behind fencing with barbed wire in Washington, US, January 28, 2021 (credit: LEAH MILLIS/REUTERS)
The US Capitol Building can be seen from behind fencing with barbed wire in Washington, US, January 28, 2021 (credit: LEAH MILLIS/REUTERS)

"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.

The background of the incident was as of yet unclear.

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.