Pelosi, Schumer speak with family of officer killed in Capitol attack

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) both spoke with the family of Capitol Police officer William Evans, who was killed in Friday’s car attack at the U.S. Capitol. 

Pelosi said in a “Dear Colleague” letter to House lawmakers that she offered the House’s assistance to Evans’s family and extended the condolences of the chamber’s members. 

“On behalf of the House of Representatives, I have conveyed our prayers and condolences to his mother Janice, with our offer of assistance to her and Officer Evans’ children Logan and Abigail. I have also conveyed the prayers of the Congress with our ongoing promise of help in any way to the family of the other Officer harmed, who exhibited great valor in defending the Capitol,” Pelosi wrote. 

“At a time of such suffering, no words are adequate.  However, I hope it is a comfort to Officer Evans’ family and the family of the other Officer harmed in the line of duty that so many are heartbroken and grateful for the officers’ brave protection of the Capitol,” she continued.

“President Biden, Secretary of Defense Austin, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Milley and other leaders immediately expressed their appreciation for our officers’ courage to their families and to the Congress.”

A Schumer spokesperson added that the Senate leader “spoke with Officer Evans’s family this evening” and told them “the whole Senate mourns Billy’s loss and appreciates his bravery.”

“He also told Officer Evans’s family they will forever be a part of our Capitol Hill community,” the spokesperson added. 

The outreach comes hours after a man rammed a car into a barrier on the side of the U.S. Capitol building where two Capitol Police officers, including Evans, were present.

The suspect, 25-year-old Noah Green, allegedly exited the car and lunged at the officers. 

The suspect did not respond to verbal commands from the officers, according to acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman. The suspect was then fatally shot. 

Evans did not survive the wounds he suffered during the attack. The second officer, who has yet to be identified, is in stable condition, according to a release from Capitol Police.