D.C. Police Chief says ‘chemical irritants’ deployed at officers

WASHINGTON (KLKN) — The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee provided an update to the community about the active protests.

Here’s what he had to say:

“Demonstrators came to our city this morning to exercise their first amendment rights, and were largely concentrated in the area of national law. Following the President’s remarks a large crowd began to march eastbound on Madison Avenue northwest and constitution Avenue northwest. As the demonstrators approach the United States Capitol grounds, there was a noticeable change in their demeanor. They breached the fencing along the U.S. Capitol grounds and confronted the police line surrounding the building. MPD was requested by the United States Capitol Police to provide assistance with crowd management, and due to the violent behavior towards the police officers and their intent for gaining access to the Capitol, a riot was declared. It was clear that the crowd was intent on causing harm to our officers by deploying chemical irritants on police to force entry into the United States Capitol Building.“

Chief Contee confirmed, sometime after protestors gained access to the Capitol Building, one civilian reportedly sustained a gunshot wound. The situation remains under investigation.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has ordered a citywide curfew from six o’clock tonight into tomorrow morning. During these hours, no undesignated persons should be outside.

This curfew does not apply to essential workers.