Who was Richard York III, Delaware resident who rammed car into US Capitol barrier and killed himself?

The man who rammed his car into a barricade near the US Capitol early Sunday and then fatally shot himself has been identified by authorities as Richard York III.

The incident took place just before 4 am at a vehicle barricade set at East Capitol Street and 2nd Street in Washington.

Richard York III, a 29-year-old Delaware resident, crashed into the barricade. As he was getting out of the car, the vehicle became engulfed in flames. He then opened fire, firing several shots into the air as police approached before fatally shooting himself.

“It is still not clear why he chose to drive to the Capitol Complex,” Capitol Police said in a statement.

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Earlier, police said “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.”

Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger told the reporters that the approaching officers did not hear Richard York III say anything before he opened fire “indiscriminately” in the street with a handgun.

“It does appear that it was not the collision with the barricade that caused the fire. It appears that the individual may have started the fire himself as he was getting out of the car,” Manger said. 

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Authorities said no other injuries were reported and police do not believe any officers returned fire.

Capitol Police were investigating the incident. Preliminary probe revealed that suspect has a criminal history. 

“The subject has a criminal history over the past 10 years or so, but nothing that, at this point, would link him to anything here at the Capitol,” Manger said at a news conference.