The suspect in the Capitol car attack on Friday suffered mental health problems, including delusions and suicidal thoughts, a US official told The Associated Press.
The suspect, 25-year-old Noah Green, allegedly drove a car entered the barrier surrounding the Capitol, hitting two Capitol police officers. One of the officers, William “Billy” Evans, died from the injuries he sustained during the attack shortly thereafter.
Green allegedly got out of the vehicle with a knife and “charged” at the police, causing the police to fatally shoot him.
A US official told the news agency that the investigation is focusing on Green’s mental health and that he had thoughts of suicide, delusions and paranoia.
Investigators believe the attack was an isolated incident from a young man who was not mentally well, according to the AP.
Green’s Facebook posts, which have already been removed near the platform, suggests that Green may have struggled with mental health.
In a post, Green described “afflictions”.
“To be honest, the past few years have been difficult, and the past few months have been more difficult,” said Green in March. “I was tested in some of the biggest and most unimaginable tests of my life. I am currently unemployed after I quit my job, partly due to afflictions, but ultimately in search of a spiritual journey. “
Green too promoted speeches on Facebook of Louis Farrakhan, the head of the Nation of Islam.
The Southern Poverty Law Center identified the Nation of Islam as a hate group for its anti-Semitic and homophobic comments.
The Hill contacted the Capitol Police and the Maryland Police Department for comment.