Woman dies after being shot at DC protest where crowds sought to reject electoral certification

WASHINGTON, DC — A woman has died after being shot at the U.S. Capitol Building during protests seeking to stop the certification of the 2020 election, NBC sources have confirmed on the ground in Washington, DC. 

It was reported earlier Wednesday the woman was shot in the chest while inside the Capitol Building.

Paramedics transported the woman to an ambulance outside, reporting she was in critical condition. It’s not clear who the woman was or who shot her. However, it was confirmed she was not a law enforcement officer.

No further details have been released. 

 

BREAKING: A woman is in critical condition after being shot in the chest on the Capitol grounds, two sources familiar with the matter tell @NoahGrayCNN

— Pervaiz Shallwani (@Pervaizistan) January 6, 2021

This comes as protests have broken out at the U.S. Capitol building Wednesday afternoon, attempting to disrupt the Electoral College certification solidifying Joe Biden’s victory. 

President Donald Trump has not been seen outside the Capitol building amid the protests, but tweeted to his followers to “remain peaceful.”

“I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful,” the president tweeted. “No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!”

Several Democratic lawmakers are calling for the removal — and in some cases, impeachment — of President Donald Trump after protests broke out at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday.

Chaos ensues at protests outside U.S. Capitol

What started as a seemingly-mundane formality for Congressmembers to certify the results of the presidential election has led to chaos at the nation’s capital. 

The Capitol Building was ordered into lockdown Wednesday afternoon after protesters stormed their way into the building. Lawmakers issued a recess during their debate on certifying results after protesters breached security barriers. 

Later, some Congressmembers tweeted they were given gas masks and asked to shelter in place away from any windows — just moments after tear gas was reportedly used on protesters in the Rotunda. 

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a citywide curfew for 6 p.m. shortly after. Despite efforts for help to handle protesters, it was reported the Defense Department denied requests by DC officials to deploy the National Guard to the Capitol. 

However, the mayor of Virginia announced he would send the state’s national guard, as well as 200 state troopers, to the district for additional security. The DC National Guard will also be activated. 

Congressmembers tweet updates from inside the Capitol

While under a shelter-in-place, several lawmakers took to Twitter to update constituents on their safety and what it looks like inside the Capitol. 

Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) was the first representative in Utah to tweet from the Capitol, telling Utahns he was safe and thanking law enforcement officers for keeping him safe. 

“It’s totally inappropriate what’s happening here at the Capitol,” he wrote. “This is not who we are, we’re better than this. My plea is that we use all our influence to tone this down & return to reasonable debate.”

 

My staff and I are safe— thank you to @CapitolPolice for working tirelessly.

It’s totally inappropriate what’s happening here at the Capitol. This is not who we are, we’re better than this. My plea is that we use all our influence to tone this down & return to reasonable debate. pic.twitter.com/I2X3e7nGt0

— Rep. John Curtis (@RepJohnCurtis) January 6, 2021

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) also responded to the protests, calling for lawmakers to get back on the floor for debate and eventually a vote. 

 

Congress was elected to govern. We need to get back on the floor and gavel in the Senate as soon as possible.

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) January 6, 2021

This story is breaking and will be updated. 

 

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