Video shows dramatic moment single police officer stood up to mob entering Capitol building

The guard, whose identity is not immediately known, stood up to the rowdy mob for as long as he could but eventually rushed back to a floor where more officers were present

As a charged mob of pro-Donald Trump rioters breached the US Capitol’s first ring of defence and swarmed inside, dramatic footage has emerged of a lone and outnumbered security personnel standing up against the crowd in a bid to stop them from taking over the upper floors of the building on Wednesday night.

The video shows Trump supporters forcing their way into the chambers of the House of Representatives and Senate, forcing the guard, who held up a baton, to gradually retreat and run up the stairs to try and stop the mob from advancing any further. The guard, whose identity is not immediately known, stood up to the rowdy mob for as long as he could but eventually rushed back to a floor where more officers were present.

Violent scenes were witnessed in one of the most secure congressional buildings in Washington DC as pro-Trump supporters almost took control of the Capitol for a few hours in a tense siege.

There are numerous shocking videos and photos of rioters climbing onto outdoor scaffolding, breaking glasses and using chemical irritants to attack the police.

The riots perched on the scaffolding and raised slogans (Richard Hall / The Independent )

As protesters stormed the building, clashing with the police on the outside steps, the session that was in the middle of debating the first objection to the electoral college certification of Joe Biden had to be temporarily halted as lawmakers took cover.  

National Guard troops were later deployed and a citywide curfew called shortly after dusk, as rioters continued to occupy the capital. 

The unprecedented scenes left world leaders aghast with British prime minister Boris Johnson,  Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani, and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau lamenting the violence.

Four people were dead in the violence following the build-up of outrage over Donald Trump’s rhetoric of election fraud. One woman was fatally shot, while another three people died due to medical emergencies that unfolded during the chaos.

Following all the chaos, violence and bloodshed, Congress certified Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.

Shattered glass, broken furniture and flags scatter cross the floor were picture in the aftermath of the riots  (REUTERS)

In the wake of the riots, public emergency was extended for the next 15 days in Washington DC by mayor Muriel Bowser. The emergency measures will remain till a day after Joe Biden’s inauguration. One thousand National Guard members have been deployed to control the situation for two weeks.