Christians around the world celebrate Good Friday today, the day on which Jesus died. It is a day of remembrance not just for God’s sacrifice, but for the injustice of those human agents who perpetrated it. Sadly, another death occurred today on Capitol Hill…this one another tragic miscarriage of justice.
Death On Good Friday
A U.S. Capitol Police officer is dead today after a vehicle rammed a Capitol complex checkpoint on Constitution Avenue then emerged wielding a knife. He was fatally shot. The two officers were rushed to the hospital. One is dead and the other is in unknown condition.
Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman noted:
“It is with a very heavy heart that I announce one of our officers has succumbed to his injuries. This has been a very difficult time for the Capitol Police department. I ask that you keep our U.S. Capitol Police family in your prayers.”
What could have driven this man to kill? What possesses someone to take the life of another in cold blood? I guess we’ll soon find out…
And folks, this will change travel. I witnessed first-hand the militarization of Washington, DC when I was in town for the Biden inauguration in January. It was the biggest military presence in the District since the U.S. Civil War. This latest incident will only reinforce that presence and make what should be an open, accessible capital city instead a city surrounded by barbed wire, tanks, and armed troops.
It made me think of Good Friday, nearly 2,000 years ago. There, a man was put to death on the flimsiest of charges, including a sham trial that exposed the basest of human behavior.
And yet we humans just don’t learn, do we? Today another man was put to death by a selfish, cowardly act of defiance that will only further marginalize whatever grievance(s) drove this atrocity.
CONCLUSION
Christians believe that the death of Jesus was necessary that we might have life. But today’s death on Capitol Hill was so unnecessary. It was so antithetical to an ethic that cherishes life and sees intrinsic value in every human being.
As we travel across the country and around the world, let us love one another and treat every person with the dignity and compassion we would want to be afforded.
Well, to some Christians, its Good Friday, for others, it will happen later this month…
“Today another man was put to death by a selfish, cowardly act of defiance that will only further marginalize whatever grievance(s) drove this atrocity.”
Lots of people have been put to death on days like this, the main difference is this death could lead to more security restrictions in DC.
As for the grievances, well, guess we will just have to wait and see what they are.
Thousands have died today around the world, probably 150,000+. Who knows how many died in Burma at the hand of the unjust junta? Or how many died gasping for breath with COVID-19. But you seem almost miffed that I would focus on this death…and I wrote it long before the identity of the suspect was revealed.
And because you brought up, I am very aware many Christians (who follow the Julian calendar) will not celebrate Good Friday today, which is why I phrased my opening sentence the way I did.
Thank you, Matthew – a very heart felt article, especially for those of us who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. God’s richest blessings on you and your family, as we celebrate His death and resurrection into glory!
Reports indicate the perp was a member of the Nation of Islam. There will be an investigation into his motives, but they don’t appear fit any of the current media narratives.
Some lunatic that follows an organization for lunatics. Sounds about right.
RIP and Happy Easter to you Matthew!
And just so it’s clear, I meant RIP to the officer who died not the coward who attacked him.
What a terrible way to close out the day on your blog. Millions of citizens each year face abuse by police. Blacks commit millions of violent attacks/robberies against whites every year. No one mentions this on travel blogs. But one enforcer of leftist government dies and it is full mourning here. Ridiculous.
Cops are not the good guys. They all blindly enforce leftist laws that infringe on fundamental freedoms like gun control, seat belt laws, drug laws, tax laws, mask laws, nanny state laws, speech laws, and etc. No cop is innocent as all follow what their computer tells them. Cops who defend Congress are even worse. They are literally guarding an evil body of people. As you probably can tell, I have no sympathy for the devil (cops) as cops are criminals.
I just don’t get religion.
@Jackson – and based on your post history you’re clearly a white nationalist, so what’s your point?
I just don’t get his comment…
I’m not miffed per se, just pointing out that what happened in DC isn’t the only tragedy of a life stolen before it’s time was due. Something else people should remember on a day like that.
“And because you brought up, I am very aware many Christians (who follow the Julian calendar) will not celebrate Good Friday today, which is why I phrased my opening sentence the way I did.”
That’s all fine and good, but the way it is phrased – Christians all over the world – sounds like that is the only day that all Christians around the world will be celebrating it. I mean, for one thing, not all Christians believe or agree that is the date that Jesus died, hence there being 2 Easters being celebrated most years (if not all years).
@Vinod: “especially for those of us who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.”
How about “believe” instead of “acknowledge.” Why are many Christians so obnoxious, most especially converts like Vinod?
A public servant was killed in the line of duty. That it happened on a religious holiday is irrelevant.
From all accounts, this was a very disturbed and troubled young man. It’s very different from the feral thugs on January 6th. Of course, the outcome is the same : the loss of an entirely innocent life.
Paolo – your glasses need cleaning. Noah Green, the suspect in the death of a Capitol Police officer described himself on Facebook as a follower of Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam and he professed to having financially supported The Nation if Islam. Three members of the Nation of Islam (NOI) — Talmadge Hayer/Thomas Hagan/Mujahid Abdul Halim, Norman Butler/Muhammad Abdul Aziz and Thomas Johnson/Khalil Islam— were convicted of murdering Malcolm X in 1966. Since Noah supported and donated to a cause historically linked to murder, thuggery and racism, why do you shield Noah from being called a thug while calling the suspects of January 6th thugs?
Thank you for your heartfelt article. God’s blessings to you and your family and Happy Easter.
Thanks for the post Matthew. A disappointing reminder that there are many wrongs in this world.
Though I’m assuming it’s not a vehicle that’s wielding a knife and getting fatally shot…