Man Attempted Car Attack Outside Pentagon and Said “I Hate America,” Court Documents Say

An Ethiopian man living in Virginia who allegedly yelled “F*** America” and told officers “I hate America” is accused of attempting to attack federal police officers outside the Pentagon last week, according to federal court documents.

Tamirat Yehualawork, 36, allegedly drove through a security checkpoint outside the Pentagon on Friday, speeding over a second security barrier and forcing police to pull guns and use their police vehicles to pin and stop Yehualawork’s car near the complex.

According to a police affidavit reviewed by CBS News, “As he crossed the bridge into the South Secure Parking lot of the Pentagon, a (Pentagon) officer shined his flashlight to get Yehualawork’s attention. The officer stated that once he got Yehualawork’s attention, he accelerated the vehicle towards him. The officer took cover, pointed his weapon at the vehicle, and began giving verbal commands that Yehualawork ignored. (He) then drove over a sidewalk and through grass towards the Pentagon Mall Entrance.”

According to the affidavit, Yehualawork “did not comply with officers’ commands to exit the vehicle and was forcibly removed from the Ford Expedition. {snip}

{snip} The court filing said, “After acknowledging his rights, Yehualawork told officers, “I hate America and I was trying to kill people.”

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