A Delaware man allegedly drove his vehicle into the U.S. Capitol building barricade before shooting himself on Sunday.
After crashing into the security barrier shortly after 4 a.m. on August 14, Richard A. York III, 29, evacuated the vehicle. He allegedly discharged several rounds of gunfire into the air as flames began to engulf the car, police said.
As police approached, York apparently shot himself and died. No other injuries were reported.
“It appears that the individual may have started the fire himself as he was getting out of the car,” Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said.
Though possible incendiaries were found in the car’s wreckage at East Capitol Street and Second Street NE, the Metropolitan Police began investigating the incident rather than fire authorities.
York’s motivations and intentions were unclear. Congress was on its August recess during the incident.
“It does not appear the man was targeting any members of Congress, who are on recess, and it does not appear officers fired their weapons,” police said in a statement.
