Riot at Capitol

Gabriella Guzman, Staff Writer

Thousands of President trump’s supporters gathered at the capital to protest which quickly turned into a violent riot that led to capitol lockdown and shots fired.

 

Just before midday local time (17:00 GMT) thousands of people gathered near the White House, to hear the president speak at a “Save America” rally. “We’re going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue… and we’re going to the Capitol and we’re going to try and give… our Republicans, the weak ones… the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our Country.” President Trump says. As soon as the speech ends, crowds start to drift towards the Congress building, where they are met by police barriers according to BBC news. 

 

“Chanting crowds start to gather on both sides of the building at around 13:10, grappling with police at the metal barricades. Tear gas and pepper spray are used to try to keep the protesters at bay “ states BBC news. The crowd quickly grew so big local PD could not handle it and it quickly went downhill. 

 

On the east side of the building, protestors force their way through barricades on the Capitol Plaza and move on the main entrance, quickly gaining access to the Great Rotunda (large, domed, circular room located in the center of the U.S. Capitol. After protestors made their way inside the capitol, Senators are forced to abandon the process of confirming President-elect Biden’s victory and the building goes into lockdown.

 

Shortly before 15:00, gunshots are reportedly heard inside the building. Photos and video footage later show a female protester being shot as she tries to break through the barricaded doors of the Speakers’ Lobby. Despite efforts by police and others at the scene to save her, she is later reported to have died. according to BBC. 5 deaths have been reported due to capitol riot, one including an officer from the capitol