A woman was shot dead during a clash at the U.S. Capitol between law enforcement and supporters of President Donald Trump, which broke into the building, forcing a closure with members of Congress inside.
Protesters, some of whom were seen in body armor, climbed the stairs around 2:15 p.m., advancing barricades, riot police and other security measures planned for the protest.
A woman was shot inside the Capitol and rushed to the hospital, police said. The unidentified woman died later in the evening, sources told ABC News.
It is unclear what caused the shooting or whether law enforcement intervened. The images showed agents with drawn weapons.
As of 6:15 p.m., the Capitol was still busy, but officials say they are working to clean it up.
After repeated calls from leaders on both sides of the aisle to summon his followers, the president posted a video message on Twitter at 4:17 p.m., in which he told his followers to return home. In the same video, he continued to press false and unfounded claims about the election.
“I know you’re suffering, I know you’re hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us,” he said, repeating a false statement in the previously recorded 1-minute video. “But now you have to go home.”
Twitter tagged the video with a warning: “This election fraud claim is disputed and this Tweet cannot be answered, retweeted or liked due to a risk of violence.”
The tweet came just as Trump’s successor, Vice President Joe Biden, held a press conference to address the situation. He called Trump to tell his supporters to stop.
“This is not a discrepancy, it is disorder. It is chaos. It is limited to sedition. And it must end now. I call on this crowd to withdraw and allow the work of democracy to move forward.
The entire DC National Guard has been activated to assist, and several other police groups, including the Federal Protection Service, the Secret Service, the Virginia National Guard and Arlington, Virginia, Police Department, are responding to assist the Police of the United States Capitol.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said around 3:40 p.m. the National Guard was on its way. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sought the help of the National Guard to secure the Capitol, according to a source.
The clashes began when Trump and his allies held a rally earlier in the day pushing the Senate not to certify elections for President-elect Joe Biden. Once inside the Capitol, protesters moved freely and chanted chants as they waved “Trump 2020” flags.
“Because of the violent behavior towards the police officers there and their intention to enter the Capitol, a riot was declared,” DC Metro police chief Robert Conte told reporters at a press conference.
According to reports, at least one protester was on the floor of the Senate chamber and some went door to door demanding, “Where are the f —?” They were also knocking on doors, according to reports.
One of the protesters was photographed carrying a Congressional lectern.
Around 4:15 p.m., the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Capitol Police were investigating a suspicious article near the Republican National Committee headquarters building. on First Street. Around 5:52 p.m., the FBI said in a statement that “two alleged explosive devices were protected by the FBI and our police partners. The investigation is ongoing.”
Later in the evening, law enforcement fired tear gas to try to disperse supporters
As Trump supporters stormed the building, police officers instructed elected officials, staff and journalists to protect themselves in their place. In a bulletin sent to Capitol staff later in the afternoon, Capitol police ordered people to close their doors, remain silent and mute their electronics.
“If you’re in a public space, look for a place to hide or look for yourself,” the newsletter said.
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., Tweeted, “Police have asked us to remove gas masks because there were tear gas at the roundabout.” U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore, tweeted that Electoral College ballots were rescued from the apartment.
“If our capable ground staff hadn’t caught them, it would have been burned by the people,” he tweeted.
West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin told reporters the Senate intends to finish certifying the election tonight.
Manchin told reporters he believes they will be able to continue debating in the Capitol building. He said being in the safe room with other senators had a “way to meet us.”
“We’ll finish tonight,” Manchin said. “These thugs don’t run away from us.”
House Speaker Pelosi sent a letter to members telling them they would proceed on the agenda once the Capitol was cleared.
“Members and staff should remain at the Capitol complex until they are notified by U.S. Capitol police,” he wrote. “I look forward to seeing you later this evening, at this time of great sadness.”
Around 3:20 p.m., the Senate chamber secured itself and officers were in the process of pushing protesters from the second and third floors of the roundabout, according to police.
During the rally earlier in the day, Trump said he would not concede and asked supporters to march to the Capitol. He promised the crowd that he would be with him, but he did not keep his promise and returned to the White House.
“We won’t let them silence your voices. We won’t let them pass,” Trump told a lively crowd.
When the rape began, Trump he tweeted that Vice President Mike Pence “didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our country and our Constitution,” and “the US demands the truth!”
Trump he tweeted at 2:39 p.m., “Please support the Capitol police and the police. They are really on the side of our country. Keep the peace!”
At 15:13, he tweeted, “I ask that everyone at the United States Capitol be kept at peace. There is no violence! Remember, we are the party of law and order, respect the law and our great blue men and women. Thank you!”
At 3:35 p.m., Pence, who was escorted out of the building, too he begged on Twitter for Trump supporters to stop.
“The violence and destruction that is taking place in the United States Capitol must stop and must stop now. Anyone involved must respect law enforcement officers and leave the building immediately. he tweeted.
U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney told reporters who were with him in a safe position, “That’s what the president has caused today, this insurgency.” Romney had been approached by a Trump supporter at an airport on Tuesday.
U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement around 3:50 p.m. and called on Trump “to demand that all protesters leave immediately the United States Capitol and the Capitol Field “
Former members of Trump’s inner circle also condemned the president for not doing enough to stop his supporters. Former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney tweeted about the president’s tweets that were not enough.
“Now he can stop it and he has to do it exactly. Tell these people to go home.” he tweeted.
Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a citywide curfew that began at 6 p.m. and ends Thursday at 6 p.m.
“During curfew hours, no person, other than persons designated by the mayor, shall walk, cycle, run, wander, stop or drive a car or any other means of transportation. by any street, alley, park or any other place within the District, ”the mayor said.
During an afternoon press conference, Bowser called the protests “shameful, unpatriotic” and “illegal.”
“The Metropolitan Police Department has been deployed to help U.S. Capitol police restore order to the Capitol. And our police chief will direct command to clean up the Capitol building and establish a perimeter around the Capitol. Chapters, ”he said.
Governor Northam also declared a curfew in Alexandria and Arlington that began at 6 p.m.
Allie Pecorin, Trish Turner, Allison Pecorin, Jack Date, Ben Siegel and Luke Barr collaborated on this report
This is a developing story. Please check for updates again.