Omar: Capitol security incident would be more deadly if AR-15 involved

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) said Friday that an attack on the Capitol, during which a man rammed his car into a security barrier, “would have been worse” if the suspect was carrying an AR-15 firearm. 

The attack occurred Friday afternoon, killing one Capitol Police Officer, William F. Evans, and injuring another. 

The suspect, a 25-year-old man named Noah Green, used a car to crash into a barrier surrounding the Capitol, hitting the two officers. He then exited the vehicle with a knife and lunged at the police. 

Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman stated that after the suspect refused to comply with verbal commands, officers fired their weapons, killing him. 

In a tweet, Omar offered her condolences to Capitol Police. 

“Heartbroken to learn another CP was killed while protecting the Capitol. My thoughts and prayers go out to the officer’s family and the entire Capitol Police force,” Omar tweeted.

“The death toll would have been worse if the assailant had an AR-15 instead of a knife,” she added.

Heartbroken to learn another CP was killed while protecting the Capitol. My thoughts and prayers go out to the officer’s family and the entire Capitol Police force. The death toll would have been worse if the assailant had an AR-15 instead of a knife.

— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) April 2, 2021

The Minnesota lawmaker’s comments drew backlash from Twitter users, alleging that Omar was politicizing a tragic event. 

Natalie Johnson, communications director from Rep. Nancy Mace (R-N.C.) tweeted, “A Capitol Police officer who risked his life protecting yours every single day was murdered not even three hours ago and you’re already politicizing his death.” 

A Capitol Police officer who risked his life protecting yours every single day was murdered not even three hours ago and you’re already politicizing his death. https://t.co/QeNK4cB9Am

— Natalie Johnson (@nataliejohnsonn) April 2, 2021

Another Twitter user, Blake Masters, said “just an immediate pivot to propaganda.” 

just an immediate pivot to propaganda.

“truly, the gun that didn’t shoot is the REAL problem!” https://t.co/Mj6IERQXt9

— Blake Masters (@bgmasters) April 2, 2021

The bodies are still warm, My God https://t.co/iLOBrbWR6k

— Dylan Housman (@Dylan_Housman) April 2, 2021

The news comes as Democrats have renewed their push to ban assault weapons after shootings at a grocery store in Boulder, Colo., and at several massage parlors in the Atlanta area.