Noah Green

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For the 1800s Michigan politician, see Noah K. Green.
Noah Green
Noah Green.png
Photo courtesy: CNU 2018 football roster
Born
Noah Ricardo Green

February 8, 1996
Fairlea, West Virginia
DiedApril 2, 2021(2021-04-02) (aged 25)
Washington D.C.
Known forVehicular attack at the U.S. Capitol, striking 2 Capitol Police Officers
2021 United States Capitol car attack
North Barricade (Flowers near the Capitol - panoramio (2) (cropped)).jpg
The Capitol's Constitution Avenue checkpoint, where the attack occurred (here photographed in July 2009)
North barricade is located in Central Washington, D.C.
North barricade
North barricade
LocationUnited States Capitol, Washington, D.C., United States
Coordinates38°53′30″N 77°00′30″W / 38.8916°N 77.0083°W / 38.8916; -77.0083Coordinates: 38°53′30″N 77°00′30″W / 38.8916°N 77.0083°W / 38.8916; -77.0083
DateApril 2, 2021
1:00 p.m. (EDT)
Attack type
Vehicle-ramming attack
WeaponsNissan Altima
Deaths2 (including the perpetrator)
Injured1
PerpetratorNoah Ricardo Green[1]


Noah Green (February 8, 1996-April 2, 2021) was a former college football player at Christopher Newport University, graduating in 2019. Initially known for his quiet and reserved nature, he later developed serious mental health issues. On April 2, 2021, Green rammed his car into a barricade outside the Capitol Building in Washington D.C., striking two Capitol Police officers, and resulting in the death of Officer William "Billy" Evans. He then exited the vehicle wielding a knife and ignored verbal commands from other Capitol Police officers, who subsequently fired their weapons, killing Green. Investigations revealed that Green had been struggling with mental health issues and had aligned himself with the Nation of Islam, turning to his faith for support during difficult times. Prior to the attack, he shared extremist viewpoints propagated by the Nation of Islam.[2][3]

Early life and education

Noah Ricardo Green (1996-2021) was born in Fairlea, West Virginia, into a family with ten children.[4] He grew up in Covington, Virginia, in the southwestern part of the state and graduated from Alleghany High School.[5] In high school, he played football and participated in track and field.[5] He attended Glenville State College before transferring[6] to Christopher Newport University (CNU) in Newport News, Virginia, where he played defensive back on the football team.[4][5] In 2019 graduate of Christopher Newport University with a degree in finance. Known for his quiet and reserved nature, Green encountered significant mental health challenges following his academic career. Born in West Virginia, Green attended high school in Virginia and initially enrolled at Glenville State University before transferring to Christopher Newport University, where he played football as a defensive back.[6][4]

Years before the attack

People who knew Green described him as athletic and popular in high school and college,[4][5] but after he graduated from CNU, he became deeply paranoid and religious, leaving family and friends concerned that his mental state was unraveling.[4][7] A U.S. official said Green increasingly suffered delusions, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts.[8]

Family and friends said Green believed people had drugged him with Xanax, leaving him with addiction and withdrawal symptoms. After moving into an apartment in Newport News, he reported hallucinations, headaches, heart palpitations, and suicidal thoughts. One day, admittedly inspired by drugs, he abruptly abandoned his apartment in Newport News and moved to Indianapolis. While there, he told his brother he believed his apartment was being broken into by intruders. His brother said he appeared to be mentally disturbed.[4]

Green also wrote in Facebook posts shortly before the attack that "these past few years have been tough, and these past few months have been tougher" and that he had quit his job "partly due to my afflictions".[6][4] He posted about the end times and the Antichrist.[6] In a March 15 post, he encouraged "everyone to study Revelations [recte Revelation], study the signs of end times, study who the best [recte beast] is, study who the anti-Christ is, study who the false prophet is, and study the created images during those times."[9] Two days later, he made a post possibly referring to his claim of being drugged by teammates, blaming the drugging for steering him off the "right track".[4]

Green became a follower of the Nation of Islam (NOI), a Black nationalist organization, and its leader Louis Farrakhan.[6][7][10] On Facebook, he posted messages in support of the NOI, as well as speeches and articles by Farrakhan and his predecessor Elijah Muhammad.[6][4] He petitioned to change his name to Noah Zaeem Muhammad in December 2020, but did not attend the name change hearing in Indianapolis, which was held four days before the attack.[11] He also posted a Farrakhan video titled "the crucifixion of Michael Jackson" on March 21.[9] In posts the week before the attack, he wrote that he believed Farrakhan had saved him "after the terrible afflictions I have suffered presumably by the CIA and FBI, government agencies of the United States of America" and claimed that "I have suffered multiple home break-ins, food poisonings, assaults, unauthorized operations in the hospital, [and] mind control."[12][13]

According to his brother, a few months before the attack, Green left Indianapolis and moved to Botswana, where he told his brother that "his mind was telling him to basically commit suicide." He jumped in front of a car, seriously injuring himself, then returned to the U.S., where he moved in with his brother.[4] Two weeks before the attack, Green posted a photo of a "Certificate of Completion" for a $1,085 donation he had made,[6][5] under the name "Noah X" (in the style of Nation of Islam spokesman Malcolm X),[11] to the Nation of Islam's Norfolk, Virginia chapter for Saviours' Day, along with a link to a Farrakhan speech called "The Divine Destruction of America".[6][5] The night before the attack, he became violently ill and texted his brother, "I'm just going to go and live and be homeless."[4]

Mental Health Struggles and Radicalization

After graduation, Green's life took a troubling turn. He struggled with mental health issues, including hallucinations and suicidal thoughts. He abruptly moved from his Virginia home to Indianapolis and later to Botswana, as observed by his brother. Green also attempted to legally change his name to Noah Zaeem Muhammad in December 2020, though he failed to attend the court hearing for the name change.

Association with the Nation of Islam

Green developed a strong interest in the Nation of Islam, a Black nationalist movement advocating African-American self-sufficiency. He admired the teachings of its leaders, Louis Farrakhan and Elijah Muhammad. His social media activity reflected this growing fixation, with posts containing speeches and articles discussing America's decline. Green also posted about his struggles during the pandemic, referencing "the end times" and the anti-Christ.

In one of his posts, dated March 17, he shared a photo of a donation to the Norfolk, Va., chapter of the Nation of Islam and a video of a Farrakhan speech titled "The Divine Destruction of America." He encouraged his friends to study the teachings of Farrakhan and Muhammad. His Facebook page, which law enforcement later confirmed as belonging to him, was taken down following the events that unfolded at the Capitol.

US Capitol Attack

On April 2, 2021, Officer Billy Evans was posted at a security checkpoint on Constitution Avenue usually used by senators and staff members on weekdays, about 100 yards (91 m) from the entrance of the building on the Senate side.[14] At about 1:00 p.m., Noah Green deliberately crashed a blue Nissan Altima into the barricade.[15][16] The vehicle struck Evans and another officer; Evans was hospitalized and died from his injuries.[17] After ramming the two officers, the driver exited the vehicle with a knife, lunged at officers, and ignored verbal commands before being shot by police.[18][17] Green was arrested, hospitalized and died of his wounds soon afterward.[19]

The Capitol was placed on lockdown after the attack and staff were told to shelter in place, while members of the National Guard's Immediate Reaction Force mobilized near the checkpoint.[14][20] The lockdown was lifted later that day.[21]

Actions by Capitol Police

William "Billy" Evans was the Capitol Police officer killed during the attack.[22] He served for 18 years with the United States Capitol Police, and was a member of the first responder unit.[23] He was the sixth Capitol Police officer to die in the line of duty since the force was created in 1828.[24][25]

Investigation

Investigators believe Green's attack was caused by a combination of his mental health issues and an ideological cause which he believed justified violence.[10] He was not known to police before the attack and had no known connection to a member of Congress.[17]

Response

Acting Capitol Police chief Yogananda Pittman said the attack "has been an extremely difficult time" for her police force, especially in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol protests.[17]

Many members of Congress praised the actions of the Capitol Police, the National Guard, and other first responders; and they also offered condolences to the police force and the family of the slain police officer.[26][27] Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called Evans a "martyr for democracy"[15] and ordered the flags at the Capitol to be lowered to half-staff in his memory.[28] She offered her condolences and support to Evans' mother and two children.[15]

Green's family issued a statement, saying they "were just as taken aback as the rest of the nation from this horrific event" and "feel great sympathy" for the police officers attacked. Green was "not a terrorist by any means", had "depression and potential mental illness", and "hardships with his peers" that began after repeated head trauma from playing football.[29]

After the attack, the Nation of Islam distanced itself from Green.[30] The group said that while Green sought to become a member of their organization, he was not a registered member of the Nation of Islam. It appears that in late summer (August–September) of 2020, he started the process to begin his study to become a member, but he did not complete the process.[31][30][32] The group said Green's act "violates our teachings" and they "absolutely disavow this act that resulted in the senseless loss of life".[32]

See also

References

  1. ^ Segers, Grace (April 2, 2021). "1 officer killed, 1 injured in car ramming attack at street barricade outside U.S. Capitol". CBS News. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  2. ^ Decker, Ben; Goldman, Adam; Kanno-Youngs, Zolan (April 2, 2021). "Suspect in Capitol Attack, Noah Green, Appears to Have Been a Louis Farrakhan Follower". The New York Times. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  3. ^ "Noah Green, the man who killed a Capitol Police officer Friday, played football at Alleghany Hig..." YouTube. March 6, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Davies, Emily; Jouvenal, Justin; Miller, Michael E. (April 2, 2021). "Family and friends concerned Noah Green was unraveling before Capitol attack". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Williamson, Jeff (April 2, 2021). "Noah Green, the man who killed a Capitol Police officer Friday, played football at Alleghany High School". WSLS. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Decker, Ben; Goldman, Adam; Kanno-Youngs, Zolan (2 April 2021). "Suspect in Capitol attack appears to have been a follower of Louis Farrakhan". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  7. ^ a b Hayes, Christal (April 3, 2021). "Suspect in attack at U.S. Capitol described as average jock whose mental health appeared to quickly unravel". USA Today. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  8. ^ Balsamo, Michael; Tucker, Erick; Merchant, Nomaan (April 3, 2021). "AP source: Suspect in Capitol attack suffered delusions". Associated Press. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Heeb, Gina; Sandler, Rachel (April 2, 2021). "25-Year-Old Indiana Man Reportedly Suspect In Deadly Attack At U.S. Capitol". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  10. ^ a b Nicholas Fandos; Zolan Kanno-Youngs; Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio; Aishvarya Kavi (5 April 2021). "Here's what we know about the man behind Friday's attack on Capitol Hill". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 April 2021. Investigators believed that Mr. Green was influenced by a combination of underlying mental health issues and a connection to an ideological cause that, he believed, provided justification to commit violence
  11. ^ a b "Capitol car ramming: One officer dead, one injured, attacker dead". The Jerusalem Post. Reuters. April 3, 2021. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  12. ^ "Capitol suspect posted about fearing CIA and FBI". The Situation Room. CNN. April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  13. ^ Tolan, Casey; Murphy, Paul; Gingras, Brynn; Campbell, Josh (April 3, 2021). "Suspect in Capitol car attack posted about fears of FBI and CIA week before ramming officer". CNN. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Correction: Capitol Lockdown story". AP News. April 3, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c Romero, Dennis (April 2, 2021). "Police Officer William Evans, killed in Capitol car attack, was an 18-year veteran". NBC News. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  16. ^ Ensor, Josie; Johnson, Jamie; Millward, David (2021-04-02). "US Capitol police officer killed and another injured in car ramming". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  17. ^ a b c d Olson, Tyler; Phillips, Morgan (April 2, 2021). "Capitol police officer dead, another wounded after car rams into barrier; suspect killed". Fox News. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  18. ^ Lonas, Lexi; Beitsch, Rebecca (2021-04-02). "1 officer dead, 1 injured after car rams Capitol barrier; suspect fatally shot". The Hill. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  19. ^ Cohen, Zachary; Fox, Lauren; Dean, Jessica; Shortell, David (April 2, 2021). "Capitol Police officer killed, another injured after suspect rams car into police barrier outside building". CNN. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  20. ^ Ismay, John (April 2, 2021). "National Guard deploys 'immediate reaction force' in response to Capitol attack". The New York Times. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  21. ^ "US Capitol Police Officer Dies After Attack Outside Capitol; Suspect Also Dead". NBC New York. April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  22. ^ D'Angelo, Bob (April 3, 2021). "Who was William Evans, the police officer killed in US Capitol incident?". KIRO 7. Archived from the original on April 3, 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  23. ^ Pittman, Yogananda (April 2, 2021). "Loss of USCP Officer William F. Evans". United States Capitol Police. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  24. ^ Brice-Saddler, Michael; Natanson, Hannah; Tate, Julie (April 2, 2021). "U.S. Capitol Police Officer William 'Billy' Evans killed in the line of duty". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  25. ^ Brockell, Gillian; Duggan, Paul (April 2, 2021). "The assault of a president's son led to the creation of the U.S. Capitol Police". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  26. ^ Schultz, Marisa; McFall, Caitlin (2021-04-02). "Lawmakers react to killing of one officer and injury of another at Capitol". Fox News. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  27. ^ Place, Nathan (2021-04-02). "'Heartbroken' President Biden offers condolences after deadly Capitol car attack". The Independent. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  28. ^ Rogers, Alex (April 2, 2021). "Pelosi orders US Capitol flags to be flown at half-staff to honor fallen officer". CNN. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  29. ^ Mettler, Katie; Wang, Amy B.; Davies, Emily (April 3, 2021). "Latest Capitol attack reignites debate over security, fencing in D.C.; family of suspect expresses sympathy for officer killed". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  30. ^ a b Banks, Adelle M. (April 6, 2021). "Nation of Islam says suspect in 'tragic' Capitol attack sought to be a member". Religion News Service. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  31. ^ "The Nation of Islam Official Statement On U.S. Capitol Assault". NOI.org Official Website. April 6, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  32. ^ a b Jackman, Tom (April 6, 2021). "Officer killed outside Capitol to lie in honor in Rotunda next week". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
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