Tear gas is thrown at a crowd of protesters during clashes with Capitol police at a rally to challenge the U.S. Congressional certification of the results of the 2020 US presidential election by the US Capitol building in Washington, January 6, 2006. 2021.
Shannon Stapleton | Reuters
Four people died on Wednesday amid riots in the United States Capitol building, Washington, DC, Chief of Police Robert Contee said, as a horde of supporters of President Donald Trump tried to prevent confirmation of Joe Biden’s election victory. .
The deaths included a woman who was shot, as well as another woman and two men who died from “medical emergencies”, said Contee, who spoke in a Press conference Wednesday night.
The chief said the internal affairs department is investigating the shooting. Contee said he is still determining the exact details of the other three deaths.
At least fourteen police officers suffered multiple injuries while still in hospital, Contee said. A police officer suffered serious injuries from being pulled into a crowd where he was beaten, he added.
“This is a tragic incident and I send my condolences to the victims’ family and friends,” said Contee.
Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a curfew from 6pm Wednesday to 6am Thursday. The mayor also declared the extension of the “public emergency” for the next 15 days, which would pass through the opening day.