Three things for April 5
1. Police officer and suspect killed in US Capitol attack
On Friday, April 2, a vehicle rammed into Capitol Police Officer William Evans, killing him, at the northern entrance to the U.S. Capitol. Another officer was injured in the attack.
After hitting the officers, the attacker “exited the vehicle with a knife in hand” and began “lunging” at the officers, Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said at a news conference.
A senior law enforcement official identified the suspect as 25-year-old Noah Green of Indiana. Investigators do not know the motive for the attack but do not believe it was “terrorism-related” said Chief Robert J. Contee III of Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department, according to the New York Times.
President Biden ordered flags at the White House to be flown at half-staff in honor of Officer Evans, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered the same at the Capitol.
2. Tropical cyclone kills 97 in Indonesia
On Monday, tropical cyclone Seroja struck the islands of Indonesia and East Timor. Floods and landslides triggered by Seroja have killed 97 people, with many still unaccounted for and thousands displaced.
At least 70 deaths were reported in Indonesia’s West and East Nusa Tenggara provinces, while 70 others reported missing. The cyclone brought flash floods, landslides and strong winds amid heavy rain over the weekend.
In East Timor, at least 27 people were killed by landslides, flash floods and a falling tree, while 7,000 were displaced, according to Reuters.
Nearly 30,000 people have been impacted by the floods in Indonesia, some already taking shelter in evacuation centers, but the collapse of five bridges and falling trees blocking roads has made rescue operations difficult, said disaster agency spokesman Raditya Jati.
3. Tennessee residents 16+ now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine
On Monday morning, the COVID-19 vaccine became available to all Tennessee residents 16 or older. In March, President Joe Biden announced he wanted all adult Americans to be eligible for the vaccine by May 1.
To determine a vaccination site, visit the Tennessee Department of Health website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends contacting the vaccination site before your appointment to determine what proof of identity is necessary to receive the vaccine.
“After getting a COVID-19 vaccine, you should be monitored on-site for at least 15 minutes,” according to the CDC.
After receiving the vaccine, a COVID vaccination card will be provided to the recipient. This card will be necessary to receive a second dose of the vaccine.
