A bomb disposal robot detonated a charge next to a suspicious car that rammed into a U.S. Capitol Police cruiser near the Library of Congress building in Washington D.C. on Monday morning, and police are still investigating the scene.
This story has been updated throughout to reflect the latest information from Capitol Police.
Capitol Police conducted an extensive investigation on Independence Street and Second Street in Washington D.C., right next to the Library of Congress and U.S. Capitol Building, after an erratic driver slammed into a Capitol Police cruiser, forcing a brief pursuit during which shots were fired. No one was shot, but the driver of the vehicle was injured and transported to the hospital, as was the USCP officer in the cruiser. The USCP says there is “no evidence” that the incident was connected to terrorism at this time, but the driver has been charged with several felonies.
Police cleared media and tourists out of the area, which was a section of Independence Avenue south of the Library of Congress building.
The vehicle was stopped after the collision at Independence and First Street, and the police bomb squad was apparently called. At some point, a police robot conducted two controlled detonations near the vehicle as a “routine precaution.”
Fox News initially reported that there were two vehicles involved in the incident, but it appears that Capitol Police only investigated a single vehicle, the one that was involved in a collision.
Second street, which runs behind the Library of Congress and Supreme Court, was also shut down.
Here’s roughly where the incident occurred.
The intersection of Independence and First. The Library of Congress is the unmarked building next to the circle.
Here’s the full USCP statement:
The following is the United States Capitol Police statement regarding the suspicious vehicle investigation.
At approximately 11:45 a.m., a vehicle was traveling westbound on Independence Avenue when it struck a barrier and a United States Capitol Police (USCP) cruiser at the intersection at Second Street, SE.
The driver was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. A USCP officer also was transported to the hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released.
The USCP conducted a thorough investigation of the vehicle, including disrupting its trunk twice as a routine precaution. The vehicle was cleared with negative results.
There is no evidence to indicate any nexus to terrorism at this time. The Suspect has been charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon-Vehicle; Assaulting a Police Officer-Felony; Aggravated Reckless Driving, and No Valid Permit.
