Over 60 people arrested, multiple officers injured and 4 deaths reported amid pro-Trump protests in DC
WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - D.C. police say over 60 people were arrested Wednesday during pro-Trump riots at the U.S. Capitol.
Five of the arrests were related to guns and two were for illegal possession of other weapons, including metal knuckles and a blackjack-like weapon.
READ MORE: Pro-Trump protesters storm Capitol building; Electoral College debate halted
As of 8:30 a.m., D.C. police are reporting approximately 61 curfew-violation arrests, including 25 arrests for curfew violations and unlawful entry on the Capitol Grounds. This also includes eight arrests for curfew violations on U.S. Capitol Grounds and 28 curfew violations throughout the city.
In total, MPD is reporting 80 arrests since this week's civil unrest began with 68 of those arrests occurring Wednesday night.
Police Chief Robert J. Contee says two pipe bombs and a cooler with Molotov cocktails were also found near Capitol grounds.
The Capitol was locked down after protesters charged the building as Congress began counting the Electoral College votes. The vote has since continued at an undisclosed location.
Police say a woman who was shot by a Capitol police officer inside of the building during the surge has died. She was later identified as Ashli Babbit of San Diego. An internal investigation is underway.
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they try to storm the US Capitol surrounded by tear gas in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. (Getty Images)
READ MORE: DC Mayor Muriel Bowser orders citywide curfew as pro-Trump protests intensify
Contee says officers used tear gas and percussion grenades to clear protesters from Capitol grounds ahead of the start of the citywide 6 p.m. curfew, which was ordered by Mayor Muriel Bowser as protests intensified.
Police say 14 MPD officers were injured during the protests. Contee says one was seriously hurt after being pulled into a crowd and assaulted, one has serious facial injuries.
The U.S. Capitol Police say more than 50 USCP and MPD officers were injured. Their statement reads in part:
"The Department is grateful for the assistance provided today by more than 18 local, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies and the National Guard. More than 50 USCP and MPD sustained injuries during today’s attack on the Capitol. Several USCP officers have been hospitalized with serious injuries."
Contee says three deaths occurred following medical emergencies during today's protests.
The Pentagon says about 1,100 D.C. National Guard members were mobilized to help support law enforcement.
Meanwhile, Maryland and Virginia are also sending the National Guard, along with state police, to the District to assist.
PHOTOS: Pro-Trump protesters storm Capitol in DC
On Wednesday morning, President Donald J. Trump maintained his claim that the election was fraudulent – a claim that has been widely refuted.
Later in the afternoon, the president asked his supporters to vacate the Capitol building and to "go home."
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Meanwhile, police in D.C. say a man was stabbed near the Trump Hotel just before 6 p.m.
Police say the man is conscious and breathing.
No word at this time if the stabbing is related to the protests.
The Associated Press contributed to this report