Woman shot at US Capitol has died, police say

Police recover several weapons and explosive devices as more than a dozen arrested amid scenes of far-right chaos

A woman who was shot inside the US Capitol during an insurrection attempt on Wednesday has died, according to Washington DC police.

Police have not released the woman’s name.

In graphic footage from inside the Capitol and shared on social media, a mob crowds a hallway, a gunshot is heard and a woman falls to the ground while a crowd rushes to her aid. Emergency health workers later placed her inside an ambulance.

Moments after law enforcement confirmed the woman’s death, the president announced on Twitter: “These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!”

Her death followed chaos and violence inside the halls of Congress forcing elected officials and congressional staff to evacuate and seek shelter, after Donald Trump and his allies sought to undermine millions of Americans’ votes in the 2020 presidential election.

Police also discovered an explosive device and recovered at least five weapons. At least 13 people have been arrested, and several others have been hospitalised.

Law enforcement found at least one improvised explosive device made with a galvanised pipe; it’s unclear whether any of those devices were functional.

Outside the Capitol, a mob swarmed members of the news media, trashing equipment and chasing out reporters.

Capitol police and federal law enforcement have secured the Capitol, as lawmakers are set to return to Congress and finish the formal count of Electoral College votes certified by state election officials.

"We always knew this responsibility would take us into the night,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote in a statement to members of Congress. “We also knew that we would be a part of history in a positive way today, despite ill-founded objections to the Electoral College vote. We now will be part of history, as such a shameful picture of our country was put out to the world, instigated at the highest level.”