Capitol Riot

DC, Alexandria, Arlington Under Curfew Amid Capitol Hill Chaos

NBC Universal, Inc.

News4’s Shomari Stone recaps the historic evening. At least four deaths have been reported and more than a dozen police officers were injured.

Washington, D.C., and Alexandria and Arlington in Virginia are under a curfew until 6 a.m. Thursday.

As of 10:30 p.m., D.C. police reported 47 arrests of curfew violators.

Mayor Muriel Bowser announced D.C.'s curfew Wednesday afternoon after a mob rushed up the steps of the U.S. Capitol as Congress debated the presidential vote count. Rioters then breached the Capitol building.

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke out to condemn the far-right violence at the Capitol Building and urged all residents in the area to remain indoors.

Late Wednesday Bowser extended a public emergency declared earlier Wednesday for 15 days.

A woman died after being shot by law enforcement at the Capitol, sources told NBC News. A woman and two men died after suffering medical emergencies around the Capitol grounds, D.C. police said. Their causes of death will be determined by the Office of the Medical Examiner. 

Local

Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information

Washington Spirit fans gather for the NWSL championship game

Mural unveiled for former DC Mayor Marion Barry

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam also ordered a curfew for the City of Alexandria and Arlington County in Washington's suburbs.

“We know that a lot of these individuals were going to come right across the Potomac River and stay in Arlington and Alexandria, and I talked to leadership in both of those areas, and we don’t want any more trouble tonight, or for that matter, any day, and so we invoked a curfew for Alexandria and Arlington ,” Northam told News4.

D.C.'s curfew was announced over a loudspeaker at the U.S. Capitol when it went into effect at 6 p.m.

Andrew Harnik/AP
Capitol police stand with guns drawn near a barricaded door as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol’s Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol’s Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol’s Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images
U.S. Capitol police officers take positions as demonstrators enter the U.S. Capitol during a protest in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
A protester is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol’s Rotunda as reported tear gas smoke fills a corridor on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
US Capitol police officers try to stop supporters of US President Donald Trump to enter the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump roam under the Capitol Rotunda after invading the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
US Capitol police officers try to stop supporters of US President Donald Trump to enter the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump confront Capitol police officers enter the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
Supporters of US President Donald Trump roam under the Capitol Rotunda after invading the Capitol building on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by Saul LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
Police hold back supporters of US President Donald Trump as they gather outside the US Capitol’s Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Protesters gather inside the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
A protester is seen inside the US Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
A supporter of US President Donald Trump sits at a desk after invading the Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in the US Capitol’s Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in the US Capitol’s Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Capitol police try to hold back protesters outside the east doors to the House side of the Capitol in Washington, DC, Jan. 6, 2021.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
House of Representatives members leave the floor of the House chamber as protesters try to break into the chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
Andrew Harnik/AP
People shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: Protesters interact with Capitol Police inside the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Damage is seen inside the US Capitol building early on January 7, 2021 in Washington, DC, after supporters of US President Donald Trump breeched security and entered the building during a session of Congress. – Donald Trump’s supporters stormed a session of Congress held today, January 6, to certify Joe Biden’s election win, triggering unprecedented chaos and violence at the heart of American democracy and accusations the president was attempting a coup. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: Two members of a pro-Trump mob look out through a broken window from inside the Capitol Building after breaking into it on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. Trump supporters gathered in the nation’s capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: A member of a pro-Trump mob screams out at the crowd from the inside of the Capitol Building after breaking into it on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. Trump supporters gathered in the nation’s capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: A member of a pro-Trump mob shatters a window with his fist from inside the Capitol Building after breaking into it on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. Trump supporters gathered in the nation’s capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump sit inside the office of US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as he protest inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 6, 2021. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
A supporter of US President Donald Trump sits inside the office of US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as he protest inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 6, 2021. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
A supporter of US President Donald Trump sits inside the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as he protest inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 6, 2021. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
(Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they gather inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
(Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they gather inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
(Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they gather inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
(Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest inside the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images
Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest inside the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
(Photo By Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES – JANUARY 6: A U.S. Capitol Police officer maces a Trump rioter who broke through a window on the first floor of the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (Photo By Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
(Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
A Congress staffer holds his hands up while Capitol Police Swat team check everyone in the room as they secure the floor of Trump suporters in Washington, CD on January 6, 2021. – Donald Trump’s supporters stormed a session of Congress held today, January 6, to certify Joe Biden’s election win, triggering unprecedented chaos and violence at the heart of American democracy and accusations the president was attempting a coup. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP)
(Photo By Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES – JANUARY 6: A U.S. Capitol Police officer is treated for injuries on the first floor of the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (Photo By Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
(Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
A Capitol Police Swat team member patrols the US Capitol in Washington, CD on January 6, 2021. – Donald Trump’s supporters stormed a session of Congress held today, January 6, to certify Joe Biden’s election win, triggering unprecedented chaos and violence at the heart of American democracy and accusations the president was attempting a coup. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP)
Photographer: Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A members of the U.S. Capitol Police responds to demonstrators at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S. on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. The U.S. Capitol was placed under lockdown and Vice President Mike Pence left the floor of Congress as hundreds of protesters swarmed past barricades surrounding the building where lawmakers were debating Joe Biden’s victory in the Electoral College. Photographer: Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Photographer: Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Members of the U.S. Capitol Police respond to the demonstrators at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S. on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. The U.S. Capitol was placed under lockdown and Vice President Mike Pence left the floor of Congress as hundreds of protesters swarmed past barricades surrounding the building where lawmakers were debating Joe Biden’s victory in the Electoral College. Photographer: Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Officials declared the U.S. Capitol complex “secure” about 6 p.m. after heavily armed police moved to end a violent, nearly four-hour occupation.

Some of the mob remained in the streets around the Capitol after the curfew went into effect but began to disperse. Police and the National Guard are attempting to clear the streets and enforce the curfew, moving the crowd back a block or half-block at a time every couple of minutes. By 7 p.m., the majority of the crowd had left.

“Today what we witnessed was riotous and unlawful behavior,” Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Contee said.

A Slate journalist captured the moment protesters attempted to break into the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday by smashing the glass window panes of a door.

“I continue to urge all Washingtonians to stay home and stay calm, and if you see something, say something,” Bowser said in an address to the city. “But above all, stay home."

“If you are found to be in violation of the curfew, police will be required to take action,” Contee said.

“During the hours of the curfew, no person, other than persons designated by the Mayor, shall walk, bike, run, loiter, stand, or motor by car or other mode of transport upon any street, alley, park, or other public place within the District,” the mayor’s office said in a statement. 

I continue to urge all Washingtonians to stay home and stay calm, and if you see something, say something. But above all, stay home.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser

The order does not apply to essential workers, including members of the media, who are working or traveling to or from work.

WMATA announced all Metrorail and Metrobus service will end early Wednesday "in the interest of public safety." The Metrorail system is closing three hours early at 8 p.m., while Metrobus service ends at 9 p.m.

The last trains will leave downtown transfer stations at 8 p.m., and service toward downtown will end earlier. There will be no alternate transportation.

Watch President-elect Joe Biden's remarks after a group of pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol.

Buses scheduled to begin service at 9 p.m. or later will not run. Buses already in service at that time will continue operating to the end of the line before going out of service.

MetroAccess will not begin any new trips after 9 p.m. Customers with reservations will be contacted.

Additional service adjustments will be announced if necessary.

George Washington University men's basketball's game against the University of Massachusetts has been postponed due to the curfew and will be rescheduled for a later date.

Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story. 

Exit mobile version