US News

Washington DC chaos led to three deaths in addition to Ashli Babbitt’s shooting in US Capitol

Three people died during unrest at the US Capitol Wednesday — in addition to a woman shot dead by police when protesters breached the historic building, police said at a briefing.

Metropolitan DC Police Chief Robert Contee said the three other fatalities from the day — one woman and two men — appear to have died from “medical emergencies.”

Contee said those deaths are under investigation.

The woman killed inside the Capitol building, identified as US Air Force vet Ashli Babbitt, is now part of an investigation as an officer-involved shooting, the chief said.

Hundreds of supporters of President Trump, many coming from a rally held by the president outside the White House earlier, broke into the Capitol building and vandalized it.

Thousands of pro-Trump supporters storm the Capitol Building
Thousands of Trump supporters storm the Capitol building. Stephen Yang

In all, Contee said 52 people were arrested after Trump supporters broke into the Capitol while Congress was certifying the president’s election loss to former Vice President Joe Biden.

Four of those were people charged with carrying unlicensed handguns, and one for possession of illegal weapons, he said.

Most were charged with violating a 6 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew instituted by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Contee said more than a dozen cops were injured in the assault, two seriously.

“You should also be aware that at least 14 MPD officers have sustained injuries during the demonstrations,” the chief said. “One member suffered serious injuries after he was pulled into a crowd and assaulted. He is currently hospitalized and undergoing testing for treatment for this injury.”

“One officer received significant facial injuries after being struck by a projectile and is also hospitalized,” Contee said.

Bowser also said emergency measures in the nation’s capital will remain in place for 15 days until Biden is sworn in as president.