The suspect in the attack at the U.S. Capitol earlier today has been identified as 25-year-old Noah Green, a follower of Nation of Islam founder Louis Farrakhan, per multiple media outlets.
Green, a native of Indiana who more recently lived in Virginia, allegedly slammed his vehicle through a barricade and into two Capitol Police officers, killing Officer William “Billy” Evans and wounding the other.
A Facebook page identified as belonging to Green has been removed by the social media giant, but not before media outlets including Fox News gleaned information confirming his ties to Farrakhan. In posts there, Green let others know that “I am currently now unemployed after I left my job partly due to afflictions, but ultimately, in search of a spiritual journey.”
His page also featured several recent posting that referenced the teachings of the Nation of Islam, a Black separatist movement that diverges from the traditional teachings of Islam, and its leader, Louis Farrakhan.
“My faith is one of the only things that has been able to carry me through these times and my faith is centered on the belief of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan as Jesus, the Messiah, the final divine reminder in our midst,” Green wrote in a March 17 post. “I consider him my spiritual father.”
The posts gave no indication why Green would target the Capitol or the officers. Evans was an 18-year veteran of the Capitol Police and a member of the Capitol Division’s First Responder’s Unit, acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said. The second officer remains hospitalized in stable condition.
“I just ask that the public continue to keep U.S. Capitol police and their families in your prayers,” Pittman added. “This has been an extremely difficult time for U.S. Capitol police after the events of Jan. 6, and now the events that have occurred here today.”
Robert Contee, acting chief of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, said that his department will now take over the investigation. “It does not appear to be terrorism-related,” he said.
President Joe Biden said in a written statement that he and the first lady were “heartbroken to learn of the violent attack,” expressing condolences to Evans’ family and others grieving his loss. He directed flags at the White House and all federal buildings to lowered to half-staff through Tuesday. {eoa}
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