Capitol Hill Shooting 2013: Car Chase Suspect Pronounced Dead [VIDEO]
Thursday, October 3, around 3pm, a female motorist, driving a black Infiniti, attempted to breach security at the White House. When this plan failed, the assailant sped toward the Capitol, driving nearly 80 mph. The police pursued the Infiniti for more than two miles, during which, the woman stuck a squad car on Pennsylvania Avenue, injuring the officer inside.
As the woman approached Capitol Hill, reaching 2nd Street and Constitution, gun shots were fired by authorities. The vehicle stopped a block short of the Capitol Building, which is obstructed by blockades.
The driver, shot, then climbed out of her car.
Some reports say that there was man in the vehicle; but, for certain there was a child in the car with the woman, who did not sustain injuries.
Witnesses say that only four to five gunshots were heard, and sounded like fireworks. Pedestrians and individuals standing outside of the Supreme Court were rushed into court buildings across the street. It was instructed that staff in senate office buildings take shelter, and stay away from windows and doors.
The Capitol Hill was briefly on lockdown during this ordeal, but Capitol police suggested that things were fine a lifted the lockdown.
Terrance Garner, the Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. Senate insisted that the violent episode was an isolated event, and not terrorism-related.
Reports state that the woman was shot dead.
Nonetheless, security at the White House has been heightened as a precaution, and President Obama has been brief on the incident.
Prior to the Capitol Building being sealed off by police, the Senate and House were in session. Senator John McCain was apparently urging the president and senators to discuss debt limit increase and breaking the hold over government funding. Also, the House had just passed a bill regarding the National Guard.
The following is a raw video of the police chase near Capitol Hill.