VOA慢速英语2021--美国国会大厦发生袭警事件一名警察死亡

A police officer was killed and another injured after a man struck them with a car at the U.S. Capitol Building on Friday.

The man got out of the vehicle with a knife and continued to attack the officers stabbing one of them. The man was then shot by Capitol Police officers.

Capitol Police Acting¹ Chief Yogananda Pittman told reporters, "The suspect exited the vehicle with a knife in hand" and "lunged" at the officers. She added, "This has been an extremely difficult time for U.S. Capitol Police after the events of Jan. 6."

Both officers were hospitalized and one died from the injury. The suspect also died at a hospital. Officials have yet to identify the officer who died or the suspect.

However, they said that there was no longer an ongoing² threat and that the attack did not appear to be related to terrorism.

No connection has been established between Friday's incident and the January 6 attack at the Capitol. Five people died in that incident including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick.

Friday's incident took place at a security barrier about 91 meters away from an entrance to the Capitol Building. Congress is not in session as many lawmakers and employees are away for the Easter holiday weekend.

It comes as the capital city of Washington, DC is still recovering from the attack on Congress in January. A mob³ attacked the Capitol as Congress was voting to certify⁴ Joe Biden's presidential win.

Officials set up barriers and fences around the Capitol after the riot⁵. But they have begun removing some of the emergency measures in recent weeks.

People in the Capitol complex were ordered to remain in place after Friday's shooting. Workers were told they could not enter or exit buildings. Video showed National Guard troops gathering⁶ near the area where a dark-colored vehicle had crashed into a barrier.

Senator⁷ Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, said on Twitter, "I'm heartbroken for the officer killed today defending our Capitol and for his family. I'm praying for the officer injured and his family."

President Joe Biden had just left the White House for Camp David outside of Washington when the incident occurred. He is expected to receive an update on the incident.

Attorney⁸ General Merrick Garland has been notified⁹ about the incident. The FBI said in a statement that it is providing support to the Capitol Police.

Words in This Story

exit -–v. to go out of a place; to leave

lunge –v. to move or reach forward suddenly in a forceful way

in session –phrase to be in formal meetings or series of meetings of a group of people such as a court or legislature

certify –v. to officially say that something or someone has met certain requirements

1 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

2 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

3 mob   

n.暴民，民众，暴徒；v.大举包围，乱挤，围攻

参考例句：

• The king was burned in effigy by the angry mob.国王的模拟像被愤怒的民众烧掉以泄心中的愤恨。
• An angry mob is attacking the palace.愤怒的暴徒在攻击王宫。

4 certify   

vt.证明，证实；发证书(或执照)给

参考例句：

• I can certify to his good character.我可以证明他品德好。
• This swimming certificate is to certify that I can swim one hundred meters.这张游泳证是用以证明我可以游100米远。

5 riot   

n.暴（骚）乱，（色彩等）极度丰富；vi.聚众闹事

参考例句：

• They had to call the police in order to put down the riot.他们只得叫来警察以平定骚乱。
• Flowers of all sorts are blooming in a riot of colour.百花盛开，万紫千红。

6 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

7 senator   

n.参议员，评议员

参考例句：

• The senator urged against the adoption of the measure.那参议员极力反对采取这项措施。
• The senator's speech hit at government spending.参议员的讲话批评了政府的开支。

8 attorney   

n.（业务或法律事务上的）代理人，辩护律师

参考例句：

• He acted as attorney for me.他充当我的律师。
• The attorney for the union accused the Mayor of playing politics.工会的律师谴责市长在这次罢工中耍阴谋。

9 notified   

通知，告知，报告( notify的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Competition winners will be notified by post. 将发信通知竞赛的优胜者。
• I notified the post office that my address had changed. 我把变更的地址通知了邮局。