WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 2, 2021 – Today, the U.S. Capitol Historical Society released the following statement following another fatal attack against the U.S. Capitol and the police officers sworn to protect it:

“We are shocked and saddened to learn that the U.S. Capitol and its police officers have once again come under a fatal attack,” U.S. Capitol Historical Society CEO Jane Campbell said. “This is a remarkable turn of history. In more than two centuries, never before have two acts of violence at the Capitol occurred so closely together.

“This new attack reminds us that we must continue to seek information about the first attack on Jan. 6 to learn if there is a connection between the two incidents. A Congressionally appointed commission would be an important step toward ensuring we have the policies necessary to keep a deranged person or mob from ever threatening the sanctity of our Capitol again.

“The U.S. Capitol is the people’s house. No building more strongly symbolizes the values of our nation than it does. When it’s attacked, we’re all attacked. The U.S. Capitol Police, this time with full and immediate cooperation of the D.C. Metropolitan Police and the National Guard, did an exemplary job of apprehending the suspect and protecting our nation’s most enduring symbol of freedom. We offer our deepest sympathies to the officer who died and to every officer who put their life on the line; and send our prayers to them and their families this Good Friday.”