BY JACK PHILLIPS

The suspect who crashed a car into a U.S. Capitol barrier was identified Friday as Noah Green, according to law enforcement officials.

Officials told various media outlets that Green, 25, who has connections to Virginia and Indiana, was identified as the suspect in the case. Those media reports said social media accounts belonging to him suggested he was a follower of the Nation of Islam and its leader, Louis Farrakhan.

Several news outlets, citing court documents, reported that Green was slated to legally change his name on Friday to Noah Zaeem Muhammad. He did not show up for the hearing.

Green was shot and killed by U.S. Capitol Police after the incident, officials said. One officer died and one was hurt, said Capitol Police in a statement.

“The suspect rammed his car into two of our officers and then hit the north barricade barrier,” Acting Capitol Police Chief Yoganana Pittman said. “At such time the suspect exited the vehicle with a knife in hand. Our officers then engaged that suspect. He did not respond to verbal commands.”

The fallen officer was identified as William “Billy” Evans by Capitol Police.

“I just ask that the public continue to keep U.S. Capitol police and their families in your prayers. This has been an extremely difficult time for U.S. Capitol police after the events of Jan. 6, and now the events that have occurred here today,” Pittman said.

Capitol Lockdown
Police and fire officials stand near a car that crashed into a barrier on Capitol Hill in Washington, on April 2, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas wrote Friday that “there is still much to be determined about” the attack.

Authorities said that there wasn’t an ongoing threat and that the attack did not appear to be related to terrorism, though the Capitol was put on lockdown as a precaution. There was also no immediate connection apparent between Friday’s crash and the Jan. 6 breach, officials said.

Robert Contee, the acting chief of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, said the suspect does not have any ties to a member of Congress.

Pittman said the suspect did not appear to have been on the police’s radar before the incident.

The U.S. Capitol complex was placed on lockdown after Friday’s shooting, and staffers were told they could not enter or exit buildings. Video showed Guard troops mobilizing near the area of the crash.

Video posted online showed a dark colored sedan crashed against a vehicle barrier and a police K-9 dog inspecting the vehicle. Law enforcement and paramedics could be seen caring for at least one unidentified individual.

“Today, once again, these heroes risked their lives to protect our Capitol and our country, with the same extraordinary selflessness and spirit of service seen on January 6,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a statement. “On behalf of the entire House, we are profoundly grateful.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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