(WWJ/AP) Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Joe Biden, has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags at the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings to be lowered to half-staff immediately on Friday, April 2 through Tuesday April 6 in memory of U.S. Capitol Police Officer William “Billy” Evans, and in honor of the officer injured.
“Our state is devastated to learn of yet another senseless attack in our nation’s capital that has taken the life of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Evans and injured another officer,” Gov. Whitmer said in a release.“As we mourn the loss of Officer Evans, we are reminded once again of the incredible service and sacrifices of those who stand ready to protect our nation each and every day. My heart is with the family of Officer Evans and the U.S. Capitol Police during this tremendously difficult time, and we are all praying for a speedy recovery for the second officer.”
The Associated Press reports a man plowed his car into two officers at a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol, then “emerged wielding a knife” around 1 p.m. EST Friday.
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Authorities shot the suspect, 25, and he died later at the hospital, according to a spokesperson for U.S. Capitol Police.
D.C. Police have not figured out the motive, but they said they do not believe it was related to terrorism.
Evans, who passed away at the hospital, was an 18-year veteran of the force. A second officer was also injured. His condition and his name are unknown at this point.
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U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, of Dearborn, spoke to WWJ about the emotional impact of such attacks.
“I’m sad for the officer who lost his life today, William Evans, who many of us have seen and know. My heart is broken. He was a hero.”
The U.S. Capitol was far more empty than usual due to the holiday.
The fencing around the building, a part of the ramped-up security measures in the wake of the January 6 riots., had recently been scaled back.
“(It was) taken down,” Dingell said.
She told WWJ this attack comes all too soon after U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick died in the January riots.
“…A lot of people are very angry, they’re full of hate,” Dingell said. “These men and women of the Capitol Police are working every single day to keep us safe. I think today is a day to take a deep breath and appreciate the heroism and the courage of a lot of people across this country.”
Michigan will join the rest of the country in lowering their flags in Evans’ memory.
“To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day,” a release from Whitmer’s office read.
Flags will be returned to full staff on Wednesday, April 7.
“What’s happening in this country, this sense of violence…” Dingell said. “I just don’t understand.”