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06th Jan 2021

Woman dies after being shot amidst storming of US Capitol

The National Guard has been called in to control the situation in Washington D.C.

Alex Roberts

Her death has been confirmed by numerous law enforcement agencies in the United States

A woman has been shot dead by police after Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol in Washington DC.

CNN earlier reported that a woman was in critical condition after being shot in the chest on the grounds of the Capitol. At least five people have been taken to hospital.

NBC have since confirmed that the woman has died.

Law enforcement officials told NBC News that two improvised explosive devices were found and rendered safe on the grounds of the US Capitol.

Violent scenes have engulfed the US Capitol as pro-Trump supporters stormed the building as Congress were due to ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s electoral victory.

Since Joe Biden was projected winner of the US presidential election on November 7th, incumbent President Donald Trump (and his supporters) have doubted the legitimacy of the election. No evidence of wrongdoing has ever been uncovered, but it is a claim they persist with today.

Earlier today, pro-Trump supporters began their descent on the US capitol with a ‘March for Trump’ / ‘Save America’ rally held outside the building. Trump himself spoke at this event.

The Capitol building houses the US Congress – which is currently adjourned from verifying Electoral College votes. Upon conclusion of this count, it is expected to reaffirm Joe Biden as President-Elect of the United States.

Later on in the day, Trump supporters stormed the US capitol on their way to the White House. They clashed with police and security guards, even setting off fire extinguishers while inside the building.

President Trump tweeted a pre-recorded video in which he called for peace, but repeated unsubstantiated claims that the election was “fraudulent”.

Joe Biden made a live address in which he described the protests as “an assault on the most sacred of American undertakings: the doing of the people’s business.”

 

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