Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
WASHINGTON, DC — A woman has died after being shot at the U.S. Capitol Building during protests seeking to stop the certification of the 2020 election, NBC sources have confirmed on the ground in Washington, DC.
It was reported earlier Wednesday the woman was shot in the chest while inside the Capitol Building.
Paramedics transported the woman to an ambulance outside, reporting she was in critical condition. It’s not clear who the woman was or who shot her. However, it was confirmed she was not a law enforcement officer.
No further details have been released.
This comes as protests have broken out at the U.S. Capitol building Wednesday afternoon, attempting to disrupt the Electoral College certification solidifying Joe Biden’s victory.
President Donald Trump has not been seen outside the Capitol building amid the protests, but tweeted to his followers to “remain peaceful.”
“I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful,” the president tweeted. “No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!”
Several Democratic lawmakers are calling for the removal — and in some cases, impeachment — of President Donald Trump after protests broke out at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday.
What started as a seemingly-mundane formality for Congressmembers to certify the results of the presidential election has led to chaos at the nation’s capital.
The Capitol Building was ordered into lockdown Wednesday afternoon after protesters stormed their way into the building. Lawmakers issued a recess during their debate on certifying results after protesters breached security barriers.
Later, some Congressmembers tweeted they were given gas masks and asked to shelter in place away from any windows — just moments after tear gas was reportedly used on protesters in the Rotunda.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a citywide curfew for 6 p.m. shortly after. Despite efforts for help to handle protesters, it was reported the Defense Department denied requests by DC officials to deploy the National Guard to the Capitol.
However, the mayor of Virginia announced he would send the state’s national guard, as well as 200 state troopers, to the district for additional security. The DC National Guard will also be activated.
While under a shelter-in-place, several lawmakers took to Twitter to update constituents on their safety and what it looks like inside the Capitol.
Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) was the first representative in Utah to tweet from the Capitol, telling Utahns he was safe and thanking law enforcement officers for keeping him safe.
“It’s totally inappropriate what’s happening here at the Capitol,” he wrote. “This is not who we are, we’re better than this. My plea is that we use all our influence to tone this down & return to reasonable debate.”
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) also responded to the protests, calling for lawmakers to get back on the floor for debate and eventually a vote.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
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