One officer killed after driver rams into US Capitol barricade

-Security officials recently started scaling back fencing around U.S. Capitol. Pittman said the suspect did not appear to have been on police radar. He was shot by police and taken into custody.

U.S. Capitol Police officers stand near a auto that crashed into a barricade on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 2, 2021. One of the officers who was injured was taken by police vehicle to the hospital; the other was transported by emergency medical crews, the officials said.

A message played over the loudspeakers inside the Capitol complex said that all buildings were being locked down, and staff members were told they could not enter or exit the buildings.

In a tweet Friday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said, "Praying for the United States Capitol Police officers who were attacked at the Capitol".

Five people died in the January 6 riot, including Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who was among a badly outnumbered force trying to fight off insurrectionists who supported former President Donald Trump's bid to overturn the election.

"U.S. Capitol Police officers fired upon him".

Since then security officials have said there is an ongoing threat from extreme-right groups and some Trump supporters.

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A video shared on social media appeared to show a stretcher removing victims from the area and a helicopter landing in front of the east front of the Capitol building.

Police officers gather near a vehicle that crashed into a barrier Friday on Capitol Hill in Washington.

In recent weeks, some security has been loosened, with the number of armed National Guard troops at the Capitol reduced and a security fence that created a broad perimeter around the Capitol complex removed. "He is a martyr for our democracy", Pelosi said.

Evans' death rocked a force already reeling since the January 6 mob attack on the Capitol that left another officer, Brian Sicknick, dead. The outer ring of fencing was taken down just this week, although an inner ring of fencing remains around the U.S. Capitol building.

The blocks surrounding the Capitol building were once again surrounded by law enforcement as the area was secured.

The security checkpoint is typically used by senators and staff on weekdays, however Congress is now on recess.

David Knowles and Christopher Wilson contributed reporting to this story.