The knife-wielding suspect who mowed down two Capitol police officers, killing one and leaving the other critically injured, before being shot dead has now been identified as a 25-year-old Nation of Islam follower.
Noah Green, 25, who described himself as a ‘Follower of Farrakhan’ on his now-removed Facebook page, was identified by NBC and the New York Post as the perpetrator behind the deadly attack on the US Capitol Friday.
Green allegedly killed Capitol Police Officer Billy Evans, an 18-year veteran of the force, after mowing him and another unidentified officer down with his blue Nissan Altima.
Green, who was from Indiana but has ties to Virginia, then exited the vehicle wielding a knife and was shot dead by other cops.
Capitol Police confirmed Friday evening that the other officer who was struck by the car is in stable and non-threatening condition.
The motive for Friday’s attack is not yet clear. Social media posts on now-removed accounts under Green’s name speak of fears the federal government was targeting him with ‘mind control’ and heap praise on Farrakhan for saving him.
The tragic incident comes less than three months after the January 6 riot on the US Capitol and one week after wire fencing was removed from the area.
Capitol police officer Billy Evans (left) was killed by a knife-wielding driver on Friday at the US Capitol. The suspect has been identified by NBC and the New York Post as Noah Green (right)
The suspect – who NBC is reporting is now dead – is shown being stretchered away from the scene after being shot by a Capitol cop. Two Capitol cops are now in the hospital in a critical condition. He has been named by NBC as 25-year-old Noah Green
Two Capitol cops were injured on Friday after a car smashed into a barrier on Independence Avenue
A tow truck removes the car used in the deadly attack from the scene as law enforcement collect evidence
The attack unfolded at the north side of the Capitol along Constitution Avenue when the car rammed through barricades
Green was not known to police in Washington DC but he did have a record in another state, according to law enforcement sources.
NBC reports that he was a follower of Nation of Islam but police are yet to confirm that.
A Facebook page belonging to Green has now been taken down. Law enforcement sources confirmed to CNN it belonged to the suspect.
The page showed he was a fan of the leader of Nation of Islam Louis Farrakhan and contained posts where the user said he was on a ‘spiritual journey’ after having a ‘tough’ past ‘few years’ and recently losing his job.
‘To be honest these past few years have been tough, and these past few months have been tougher. I have been tried with some of the biggest, unimaginable tests in my life,’ read a Facebook post dated March 17.
‘I am currently now unemployed after I left my job partly due to afflictions, but ultimately, in search of a spiritual journey.’
Green went on to describe Farrakhan as ‘Jesus, the Messiah’ and the ‘raiser of the dead to life, making the blind see, and the deaf hear.’
‘I consider him my spiritual father. Without his guidance, his word, and his teachings that I’ve picked up on along the way, I would’ve been unable to continue,’ he wrote.
‘Preaching to the multitudes, calling a million black men to Washington, and standing up to the most powerful government of modern times. He has done miraculous work not just with me, but with the lives of millions.’
A Facebook page belonging to a man matching the suspect’s name has now been taken down. It showed he was a fan of the leader of Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan
Green’s Facebook page included this picture of a Nation of Islam certificate made out to ‘Noah X’ in Norfolk, Virginia
A March 17 Facebook post said he was on a ‘spiritual journey’ after having a ‘tough’ past ‘few years’ and recently losing his job
The Facebook page also included links to videos of Farrakhan and posts about the Nation of Islam
What is the Nation of Islam?
The Nation of Islam, founded in Chicago in 1930, combines the religious aspects of Islam with the ideas of both black power and black nationalism.
It teaches that black people are the rulers of earth, who were created first, and who every other race descends from.
Malcolm X was perhaps the most famous Nation of Islam follower, and he convinced Muhammad Ali to join.
Malcolm grew disillusioned with the group, however, and left in 1964: members of the Nation murdered him a year later.
Martin Luther King was among those who criticized the Nation, describing it as racist.
Followers supported the idea of a separate state for African Americans in which they could rely on themselves to provide solutions to their own problems.
Unlike King, who promoted peaceful protest, the leaders of the Nation of Islam thought that violence was justified in self-defense. They felt black people should achieve what was rightfully theirs ‘by any means necessary.’
The Nation of Islam attracted many followers, especially in prisons, where lost African Americans looked for guidance and found solace in its strict moral codes and emphasis on discipline.
Malcolm X was a petty criminal before joining the Nation while in prison.
Farrakhan, 87, is known anti-Semite whose remarks on race and religion have sparked controversy in the past. He was outspoken against Barack Obama, and embraced Donald Trump – to the embarrassment of some of the Trump team.
Most recently, Farrakhan told followers not to get the COVID vaccine.
His supporters are seen by critics as black supremacists, and the Southern Poverty Law Center categorizes the organization as a hate group.
‘Its theology of innate black superiority over whites and the deeply racist, anti-Semitic and anti-LGBT rhetoric of its leaders have earned the NOI a prominent position in the ranks of organized hate,’ they say.
The founder of Nation, Wallace Fard, taught that Christianity was the white man’s religion, and said that Islam was more akin to traditional African beliefs.
Fard said there would be an apocalyptic overthrow of white domination, insisting that the dominion of evil was to end with God’s appearance on earth in the person of Fard.
His followers carried out military-style drills, in readiness for the coming battle.
Fard was succeeded by Elijah Muhammad, who died in 1975 and was succeeded three years later by Farrakhan.
In the post, Green also wrote that he had been ‘unknowingly’ taking a drug which he said had caused him to suffer ‘concerning symptoms’.
‘I was on the right track and everything I had planned was coming into existence. It required long hours, lots of studying, and exercise to keep me balanced while experiencing an array of concerning symptoms along the path (I believe to be side effects of drugs I was intaking unknowingly),’ read the post.
‘However, the path has been thwarted, as Allah (God) has chosen me for other things.’
Green signed off the message Brother Noah X. The same day, he uploaded an image of a certificate to a Noah X that recognized a gift of $1,085 to the Nation of Islam.
The Facebook page also included links to videos of Farrakhan and posts about the Nation of Islam.
Less than two hours before Green drove a vehicle through the barriers at the Capitol killing a cop and being shot dead, CNN reported that he also posted a series of Instagram stories in which he called the US government the ‘#1 enemy of Black people’.
‘The U.S. Government is the #1 enemy of Black people!’ a caption on a video read.
In another Instagram post around a week ago, the user claimed the CIA, FBI and other government agencies had caused him ‘terrible afflictions’.
He credited Farrakhan with saving him ‘after the terrible afflictions I have suffered presumably by the CIA and FBI, government agencies of the United States of America,’ reported CNN.
‘I have suffered multiple home break ins, food poisonings, assaults, unauthorized operations in the hospital, mind control,’ he added.
Facebook confirmed in a statement to CNN that it had pulled the suspect’s accounts from Facebook and Instagram.
‘After this horrific event, our thoughts are with the Capitol Police and their loved ones,’ a Facebook company spokesperson said.
‘We have designated the incident under our Dangerous Individuals and Organizations policy, which means we have removed the suspect’s accounts from Facebook and Instagram, and are removing any content that praises, supports, or represents the attack or the suspect.
‘We are in contact with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation.’
Green graduated from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in finance.
He played football at the college as well as in high school, where he also ran track.
An athletics bio for the university reveals he was born in Fairlea, West Virginia, and has seven sisters and two brothers.
He wrote that the ‘person in history he’d most like to meet is Malcolm X.’
It is not clear when he first became interested in the Nation of Islam.
The Nation of Islam, founded in Chicago in 1930, teaches that black people are the rulers of earth, who were created first, and who every other race descends from.
Malcolm X was perhaps the most famous Nation of Islam follower, and he convinced Muhammad Ali to join.
Malcolm X grew disillusioned with the group, however, and left: members of the Nation are believed to have murdered him in 1965.
Farrakhan, 87, is known anti-Semite whose remarks on race and religion have sparked controversy in the past. Most recently, he told followers not to get the vaccine.
His followers are seen by critics as black supremacists, and the Southern Poverty Law Center categorizes the organization as a hate group.
‘Its theology of innate black superiority over whites and the deeply racist, antisemitic and anti-LGBT rhetoric of its leaders have earned the NOI a prominent position in the ranks of organized hate,’ they say.
The founder of NOI, Wallace Fard, taught that there would be an apocalyptic overthrow of white domination, insisting that the dominion of evil was to end with God’s appearance on earth in the person of Fard.
Fard was succeeded by Elijah Muhammad, who was succeeded by Farrakhan.
In a statement on Friday afternoon, Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said: ‘It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Officer William ‘Billy’ Evans this afternoon from injuries he sustained following an attack at the North Barricade by a lone assailant.
‘Officer Evans had been a member of the United States Capitol Police for 18 years.
‘He began his USCP service on March 7, 2003, and was a member of the Capitol Division’s First Responder’s Unit.
‘Please keep Officer Evans and his family in your thoughts and prayers.’
Fencing that had been in place around the Capitol since the January 6 riot was taken down just last week.
Armed National Guardsmen were deployed immediately and have been seen patrolling the halls of government buildings but police say there is no outstanding threat.
President Biden ordered the flags at the White House to be lowered to half staff and said in a statement: ‘Jill and I were heartbroken to learn of the violent attack at a security checkpoint on the U.S. Capitol grounds, which killed Officer William Evans of the U.S. Capitol Police, and left a fellow officer fighting for his life.
‘We send our heartfelt condolences to Officer Evans’ family, and everyone grieving his loss.
‘We know what a difficult time this has been for the Capitol, everyone who works there, and those who protect it. I have been receiving ongoing briefings from my Homeland Security Advisor, and will be getting further updates as the investigation proceeds.
‘I want to express the nation’s gratitude to the Capitol Police, the National Guard Immediate Response Force, and others who quickly responded to this attack.
‘As we mourn the loss of yet another courageous Capitol Police officer, I have ordered that the White House flags be lowered to half-mast.’
Police officers surround the scene after a car that crashed into a barrier on Capitol Hill on the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, April 2, 2021
Police officers gather near a car that crashed into a barrier on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, April 2, 2021
The DC National Guard deployed a rapid response team
JOE BIDEN STATEMENT ON THE ATTACK
Jill and I were heartbroken to learn of the violent attack at a security checkpoint on the U.S. Capitol grounds, which killed Officer William Evans of the U.S. Capitol Police, and left a fellow officer fighting for his life.
We send our heartfelt condolences to Officer Evans’ family, and everyone grieving his loss. We know what a difficult time this has been for the Capitol, everyone who works there, and those who protect it. I have been receiving ongoing briefings from my Homeland Security Advisor, and will be getting further updates as the investigation proceeds.
I want to express the nation’s gratitude to the Capitol Police, the National Guard Immediate Response Force, and others who quickly responded to this attack.
As we mourn the loss of yet another courageous Capitol Police officer, I have ordered that the White House flags be lowered to half-mast.
Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement that Evans had ‘made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the Capitol and those who work there on behalf of the American people.’
‘Doug and I are grateful for the Capitol Police, the National Guard Immediate Response Force, and everyone else who responded swiftly to today’s attack,’ Harris said.
‘And we continue to be proud of the courageous men and women who defend the Capitol, especially during a challenging period when they have faced two violent and deadly attacks.’
Speaker Nancy Pelosi also ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff in the Capitol in honor of the cop who was killed.
Pittman confirmed Evans’ death in a press conference soon after the attack.
‘It is with a heavy heart that I come here to shed some light on the incident that occurred at the US Capitol.
‘At approximately 1.02 this afternoon, a suspect entered what we refer to as the north barricade of the Capitol.
‘The suspect rammed his car into two of our officers then hit the north barricade barrier.
‘The suspect exited the vehicle with a knife in hand. Our officers then engaged that suspect.
‘He did not respond to verbal commands, he started lunging towards officers, at which time USC officers fired upon the suspect.
‘Two US Capitol Police Officers were transported to different hospitals.
‘It is with a very very heavy heart that I announce one of our officers has succumb to his injuries,’ she said.
She did not reveal whether or not the suspect said anything while carrying out the attack, but said he was not known to the police.
U.S. Capitol Police officers near a car that crashed into a barrier on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, April 2, 2021
U.S. law enforcement officers guard streets surrounding the U.S. Capitol and congressional office buildings
Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said at a press conference on Friday that it had been a ‘tough’ year for the force.
Police block a street near the US Capitol on April 2, 2021, after a vehicle drove into US Capitol police officers in Washington, DC
Police block a street near the US Capitol on April 2, 2021, after a vehicle drove into US Capitol police officers in Washington, DC
Neither the House or Senate is in session this week so lawmakers are back in their home states instead of being in the Capitol building.
An emergency alert was sent to congressional offices telling people to ‘seek over’ due to ‘an external security threat’.
‘No entry or exit is permitted at this time,’ it read. ‘You may move throughout the building(s) but stay away from exterior windows and doors. If you are outside, seek cover.’
The White House did not appear to have an immediate change in security posture in response to the situation at the Capitol. President Joe Biden had left to spend Easter at Camp David shortly before the incident occurred.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said there is a member of the national security team, an acting chief of staff and a member of the press team traveling with him, as is standard operating procedure.
Traveling with Biden this weekend are Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff Yohannes Abraham, Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary for the National Security Council; Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Advisor to the First Lady; and Stephen Goepfert, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President.
The deadly attack comes less than three months since the violent insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6.
That day, a violent mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building in a riot that sent lawmakers fleeing for their lives and left five – including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick – dead.
Two other Capitol cops died by suicide in the weeks following the riot.
Driver broke through the only remaining security fence outside US Capitol building after other 7-ft razor wire steel fences and road blocks were removed a week ago
The incident at the US Capitol unfolded just one week after 7-ft razor wire steel fences and road blocks around the complex were removed more than two months after the deadly January 6 riots.
Steel fences and roads blocks were put in place to fortify the complex in the wake of the Capitol riots.
The security measures, which at one point included wide scale fences and 25,000 National Guardsmen, have slowly been scaled back over the past two months.
The incident at the US Capitol unfolded just one week after 7-ft razor wire steel fences and road blocks (pictured above in orange) around the complex were removed just last week. An inner layer of barricades and fences (pictured above in blue) around the Capitol building itself still remains
An outer security perimeter that was in place around the wider Capitol complex was finally removed last week.
It included a 7-ft steel fence that had cost roughly $1.2 million a week.
An inner layer of barricades and fences around the Capitol building itself still remains.
It was this inner security perimeter that the knife-wielding suspect drove his car through on Friday.
Authorities decided to keep the inner perimeter of fencing as law enforcement and lawmakers continue to try and hash out a long-term plan for security.
Capitol Police had said last week when it announced it was taking down the outer security perimeter that they were ready to ‘quickly ramp up security at a moment’s notice’ if it was needed.
The political pressure to remove the security fencing had been building for several weeks.
Members of the DC National Guard were deployed in the wake of Friday’s incident.
There are currently still 2,300 National Guard personnel based in DC from the support mission that was initiated in the wake of the riot.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III last month approved a request by the Capitol Police for continued National Guard support through May 23.
Armed National Guardsmen were deployed immediately after Friday’s incident but was not immediately clear if they were among the 2,300 on duty for the support mission.
They were been seen patrolling the halls of government buildings.
Constitution Avenue (pictured above), which is the major thoroughfare that flanks the Capitol, has now reopened. Road blocks and razor wire fence that had lined the perimeter have now been taken down
Constitution Avenue (pictured above), which is the major thoroughfare that flanks the Capitol, has now reopened. Road blocks and razor wire fence that had lined the perimeter have now been taken down
Steel fences and National Guardsmen along the outer perimeter of the Capitol complex are now longer in place but several road blocks, which were already in place, are still there. Pedestrians can now access the area for the first time in months
Source by www.dailymail.co.uk