Man commits suicide after driving car into Capitol barricade: Police

The man fired several gunshots into the air while the vehicle was engulfed in flames, authorities state
Capitol Police officers, Washington, D.C., Aug. 14, 2022

A man drove his car into a barricade at the U.S. Capitol early Sunday morning and fired several shots into the air before turning the gun on himself and committing suicide, police stated.

The man reportedly drove into the barricade at East Capitol Street and Second Street shortly after 4 a.m. The vehicle "became engulfed in flames" as he got out of the car, U.S. Capitol Police stated in a press release on Sunday.

He then proceeded to fire several shots into the air and officers responded to the sound of gunfire. As they approached, the man shot himself, law enforcement observed.

No one else was hurt and investigators do not believe that officers fired their weapons during the incident.

The man did not appear to have been targeting members of Congress, as lawmakers are currently in recess.

The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department is overseeing the death investigation while Capitol Police officers are investigating the man's background.