A man rammed his car into a barricade near the U.S. Capitol Building early Sunday morning, exited his car as flames engulfed it, fired gunshots into the air and then fatally shot himself as authorities approached, police say.
The man, identified as 29-year-old Richard York IIIof Delaware, did not seem to be targeting any particular member of Congress.
The incident occurred near 4 a.m. on Sunday on East Capitol Street NE and 2nd Street SE in Washington, D.C.
Authorities are investigating whether or not York set his own car on fire as they say it does not seem likely that the collision caused it.
It is unclear what may have prompted York’s actions, as it is still unknown if he aligned himself with any political party.
Authorities found that although he did have a criminal record, there is no obvious link between previous misdemeanors and what he did on Sunday. Congress is currently on recess and there are very few staff members who are at the Capitol in the early hours of the morning on the weekend.
