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Man Dead After Ramming Capitol Barrier 08/14 10:00

   

   WASHINGTON (AP) -- A man drove his car into a barricade near the U.S. 
Capitol early Sunday and then began firing gunshots in the air before fatally 
shooting himself, police said.

   The incident happened just before 4 a.m. at a vehicle barricade set at East 
Capitol Street NE and 2nd Street SE in Washington.

   It comes at a time when law enforcement authorities across the country are 
facing an increasing number of threats and federal officials have warned about 
the potential of violent attacks on government buildings in the days since the 
FBI's search of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

   The attack is reminiscent of an incident when a man drove a vehicle into two 
Capitol Police officers at a checkpoint in April 2021, killing an 18-year 
veteran of the force. And many on Capitol Hill remain on edge after supporters 
of the then-president stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

   Authorities said the man, whose identity has not been released, crashed into 
the barricade and that as he was getting out of the car, the vehicle became 
engulfed in flames. The man then opened fire, firing several shots into the air 
as police approached.

   Capitol Police said the man shot himself as the officers neared. He was 
later pronounced dead.

   Police said "it does not appear the man was targeting any member of 
Congress" and that investigators are examining the man's background as they 
work to try to discern a motive. Both the House and Senate are in recess and 
very few staff members work in the Capitol complex at that hour.

   Authorities said no other injuries were reported and police do not believe 
any officers returned fire.