Capitol Police officers fired shots at an “erratic and aggressive driver” after she swerved to avoid a traffic stop and struck at least one police vehicle, a spokeswoman for the Capitol Police said Tuesday.
“Although preliminary, this incident appears to be criminal in nature with no nexus to terrorism,” Eva Malecki, U.S. Capitol Police spokeswoman, told reporters just outside the scene on Independence Avenue in Washington.
LAWMAKER sends video to me of shooting incident near Capitol. He was stuck in an Uber 1/2 pic.twitter.com/1nkmzkIoAB— Scott Wong (@scottwongDC) March 29, 2017
Malecki said the female suspect pulled an abrupt U-turn after officers attempted to stop her, “nearly striking officers and striking at least one other vehicle” and leading to a “brief pursuit.”
“During the attempt to arrest the suspect, shots were fired. However, no individuals were injured during the arrest,” Malecki said.
DC Metropolian Police had indicated that their “preliminary” information suggested the suspect had intentionally attempted to strike Capitol Police officers who were on foot, but Capitol Police did not confirm whether her near-miss of the officers was inadvertent or intentional.
The Capitol was not on lockdown but all staff were told to stay clear of the area until further notice. The Sergeant of Arms was monitoring the situation.
“The U.S. Capitol Police Officers and the entire police force are to be commended for their brave and swift actions during today’s incident to secure the Capitol Complex and all of the occupants, including numerous visitors. It cannot be repeated enough how grateful we all are for the risks these officers assume to protect each of us every day,” Gregg Harper, R-Miss., head of the Committee on House Administration and ranking member Robert Brady, D-Pa., said in a joint statment.
