Read the full statement from Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund.
United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers and our law enforcement partners responded valiantly to thousands of individuals involved in violent riots as they stormed the building of the United States Capitol. These individuals actively attacked United States Capitol Police officers and other uniformed law enforcement officers with metal pipes, dumped chemical irritants, and took other weapons against our officers. They were determined to enter the Capitol building causing great damage.
As protesters made their way to the Chamber of the House where members of Congress were sheltering in place, a sworn USCP employee discharged his service weapon, striking an adult woman. Medical assistance was rendered immediately and the woman was taken to hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. She was identified as Ashli Babbitt.
In accordance with USCP policy, the USCP employee has been placed on administrative leave and his police powers have been suspended pending the outcome of a joint investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the USCP.
As these other violent events unfolded in the Capitol complex, USCP officers were simultaneously responding to a report of a pipe bomb in the 300 block of First Street, SE, and a second pipe bomb in the 400 block of Canal Street, SE. A suspicious vehicle was also identified in the 300 block of First Street, SE at this time.
The USCP’s Hazardous Materials Response Team determined that both devices were, in fact, dangerous and could cause serious harm to public safety. The devices were disabled and turned over to the FBI for further investigation and analysis.
The suspect vehicle was thoroughly investigated by the USCP, FBI and ATF. He was cleared of all danger. The USCP arrested the owner of the vehicle along with 13 additional suspects for illegally entering the US Capitol. The USCP continues to review surveillance videos and open source material to identify others who may face criminal charges.
The Department appreciates the assistance provided by more than 18 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and the National Guard. More than 50 USCP and MPD were injured during the capitol attack. Several USCP officers were hospitalized with serious injuries.
The violent attack on the United States Capitol is unlike any I have experienced in my 30 years of law enforcement here in Washington, D.C. Maintaining public safety in an open environment – especially for First Amendment activities – has long been a challenge. The USCP had a solid plan established to meet the planned First Amendment activities. But make no mistake – these mass riots were not First Amendment activities; this was criminal riot behavior. The actions of the USCP officers were heroic given the situation they faced, and I continue to have tremendous respect for the professionalism and dedication of the women and men of the United States Capitol Police. United.
The USCP is conducting a thorough review of this incident, security planning, and policies and procedures.
Original statement: https://www.uscp.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-steven-sund-chief-police
