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'She thought she was Prophet of Stamford and Obama was stalking her': Dental hygienist shot dead after ramming her car into the White House 'had been taking medication for schizophrenia'
Capitol Hill was placed in lockdown on Thursday after gunshots fired in downtown DC on Thursday Her one-year-old daughter was in the car when her mother was shot and killed by police officers 34-year-old has a history of mental illness One of Carey's five sisters is an NYPD cop Mother said she suffered from postpartum depression after birth of daughter Erica Miriam Carey had been sued by her Connecticut condominium association for failure to pay fees
By Louise Boyle, Rachel Quigley, James Nye and Michael Zennie PUBLISHED: 18:38 GMT, 3 October 2013 | UPDATED: 23:53 GMT, 4 October 2013

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The mother gunned down yesterday after ramming a White House barrier because she thought President Obama was stalking her was prescribed schizophrenia medication after telling police she was the 'Prophet of Stamford', it emerged today. Miriam Carey, 34, was taken for a mental health evaluation after an encounter with Connecticut police almost a year ago, in which she claimed to be a prophet and said the President was going to place the city of Stamford under lockdown, according to CBS. She also believed he had been electronically monitoring her Connecticut home in order to broadcast her life on television like in the movie The Truman Show. Authorities did not alert the Secret Service about the mother-of-one as they had no evidence she had ever made any kind of threat against Obama. ABC News reports that cops had twice in 2012 been called by Miriam Carey's boyfriend, who reported the woman was delusional, acting irrationally and putting her infant daughter in danger.

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Snapped: Authorities said the single-mother and dental hygienist had a 'history of mental illness' but did not elaborate

Miriam Carey is pictured at the Connecticut periodontist office where she worked. Her bosses described her as having 'a delightful bedside manner'

Surrounded: Police officers surround the car with their weapons drawn after the female driver rammed a barricade close to the White House on Thursday

Luxury Car: Police swarm around the Nissan Infiniti car on grass near the U.S. Capitol October 3, 2013 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC

Rescued: This is little Erica, the one-year-old daughter of Miriam Carey who was miraculously rescued safely from her mother's bullet-riddled car

US CAPITOL SHOOTING: Moment police draw guns on driver

Last night her mother revealed the 34-year-old has suffered from postpartum depression since giving birth to her daughter Erica last year. These revelations are the first clues as to what led a seemingly happy dental hygienist to snap and drive her Infiniti luxury sedan 270 miles from her home in suburban Stamford to Washington, DC - where her rampage put the nation's capital on lock-down Thursday. Carey's 18-month-old daughter Erica - who was in the back seat - was not injured, despite the Secret Service and U.S. Capitol police firing up to 15 shots into her car. Little Erica was rescued from the bullet-riddled car after her mother was shot dead. She is currently in the custody of child services workers.

Pictured: A neighbor has confirmed to MailOnline that this is Miriam Carey, the woman who is believed to have been shot dead by Capitol Police

It also emerged today that Carey's friends said she was upbeat and 'normal' until she fell down some stairs and hit her head in April 2012. When Carey was receiving treatment for the injury in the hospital, she learned that she was pregnant. She received a handicapped parking permit because of the injury, but doctors from the medical suite where she worked complained that she was tying up parking in front of the building, according to CBS. The resulting dispute from this ended with her losing her job. It emerged today that Carey had been sued by her condominium association for failure to pay fees. The complaint filed in November by the association for the Stamford building said Miriam Carey had failed to pay her fees in full since August 2010 and owed the association $1,759 in addition to collection costs. The lawsuit was settled in February. The lawsuit by the Woodside Green Association indicates Carey took out a mortgage on her Stamford condo in the amount of $237,616 in September 2009. Idella Carey told ABC New s that her daughter Miriam 'had postpartum depression after having the baby' in August 2012. 'A few months later, she got sick. She was depressed.... She was hospitalized,' Mrs Carey added. She thought Carey was taking Erica to a doctor's appointment in Connecticut. The 34-year-old has five sisters, one of whom is an NYPD officer. Another, Amy Carey - who is a nurse in Brooklyn - expressed disbelief when told about what happened to her sister by a Washington Post reporter. 'That's impossible. She works, she holds a job. She wouldn't be in D.C. She was just in Connecticut two days ago,' she said. 'I spoke to her...I don't know what's happening. I can't answer anymore.' Dentist Barry Weiss told NBC Connecticut that Carey was working for him in January 2012 when she suffered a fall and missed two-to-three weeks of work. When she returned she was pregnant but he later fired her in August 2012 after patients complained that she was too rough. She was not married to the father but 'seemed happy' about the pregnancy, the former boss said. Authorities said the single-mother had a 'history of mental illness' but did not elaborate.

Neighbor Erin Jackson told ABC she believed Carey lived in the Stamford home with the baby and the girl's father. Asked if she believed Carey suffered from a mental illness, Jackson said 'absolutely' and revealed she had her tires slashed in an incident last year in Connecticut. Police, including FBI and bomb disposal units, surrounded a home in Stamford on Thursday evening that authorities say is linked to the investigation, but won't give specifics. Police there said they were awaiting a search warrant from Washington, though 50 people from the apartment building already were being evacuated for the night.

Investigation: A federal agent removes evidence from the apartment complex where Miriam Carey is believed to have lived in Stamford, Connecticut, this morning

Forces: Members of the FBI suit up outside the residence of Miriam Carey yesterday shortly after she tried to ram the gates of the White House with her baby daughter Erica in the car

Stamford: Hazardous materials personal prepare to enter the apartment complex where Miriam Carey is believed to have lived in the early hours of this morning after a neighbor said the dental hygienist 'absolutely' was crazy

Aftermath: Capitol Hill police officers look at a car following a shooting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. A police officer was reported injured after gunshots at the U.S. Capitol

Impact: A veteran Capitol Police officer smashed his squad car into a barrier while rushing to the scene of the incident. He was not severely injured

Run For Cover: Seen from the US Capitol, tourists flee as Capitol Police are seen outside of the Senate side of the Capitol Building on October 3, 2013 in Washington, DC

High alert: A man runs for cover as a police officer takes a shooting position on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC today

Events Unfolded just after 2 p.m. today in Washington D.C. when the vehicle driven by an unidentified woman crashed into security gates at the White House sparking a furious chase that ended at the Capitol

US CAPITOL SHOOTING: Police car's high-speed crash following...

BRAVE CAPITOL POLICE RISKED THEIR LIVES FOR FREE BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
When Congress reconvened after the lock-down Thursday afternoon, the Capitol Police officers who stopped Miriam Carey got a standing ovation - but not much else. The 1,800 officers who protect the nation's capital are currently working for free thanks to the government shutdown. The officers are considered essential staff - so they are turning up for work, but won't get paid for their service until the impasse ends and Congress agrees to fund the government. Congressmen tweeted about hiding in coat rooms and ducking behind cars during the harrowing moments before Carey was killed within sight of the Capitol Building. Meanwhile, the officers who risked their lives haven't been paid since Tuesday, thanks to Congress' in-fighting over whether to pass a Continuing Resolution to fund day-to-day operations. Carey's former boss of eight years, Dr Steven Oken, said in the eight years he knew Miriam she was 'always happy' - and not interested in politics. Neighbors told the New York Daily New s she was 'a nice young lady, stable'. 'I would never in a million years believe that she would do something like this,' he told ABC. 'It's the furthest thing from anything I would think she would do, especially with her child in the car. I am floored that it would be her.' That portrait contrasts starkly with the woman who sent Congressmen diving for coatrooms in the Capitol Building and tourists fleeing in terror after she tried to force her way into an entrance to the White House about 2pm on Tuesday. Despite the sensitive location, Capitol Police Chief Kim Dine said: 'This appears to be an isolated incident.There is no nexus to terrorism.' Witnesses say Carey plowed through a temporary barrier and hit a Secret Service agent who was trying to wave her off - sending him flying onto the hood of her car. The Secret Service opened fire on her car as she turned and fled. Police pursued her through the streets of Capitol Hill during a frantic chase that hit speeds up to 80pmh. Video footage shows the Capitol Police officers - who have not been paid since Tuesday because of the government shutdown - surrounded Casey's car - guns drawn. At one point an officer even sticks his weapon inside her open passenger-side window.

Carey is reportedly a 32-year-old dental hygienist who lived in Stamford, Connecticut

A police bomb squad parked outside the apartment of Miriam Carey in Stamford,

Connecticut. Officers sent a robot in to inspect it before searching the premises

Authorities put on full HazMat gear to enter Carey's apartment in Stamford

A full bomb squad responded to the apartment. It is not clear what investigators found inside and what made them believe the site was contaminated

US CAPITOL SHOOTING: Bomb squad and FBI at home of suspect

But even being blocked in by cops didn't stop her, she wheels the car around, hitting a police cruiser and nearly striking several officers, and flees. Officers can be heard shooting at her car as it drives off. Moments later, Carey was shot and killed - within sight of the Capitol Building, and just behind the U.S. Supreme Court. She was not armed. The Secret Service agent she hit sustained minor injuries. A veteran Capitol Police officer who was rushing to the scene smashed into an emergency barrier in his squad car and had to be airlifted to the hospital. His injuries were not major, Chief Dine said. Carey grew up in Brooklyn, New York. A neighbor of her sister, Amy Carey, told MailOnline the two sisters don't get along. 'They just don't see eye-to-eye,' Ruth Macon said. A website for the dental practice said that Carey brought 'a delightful bedside manner,' as well as a degree is nutrition to help patients.

A U.S. Park Police chopper is loaded with a police officer who was injured in the car rampage

Treatment: Capitol Hill police and medics take a shooting victim away on a stretcher at the site of a shooting October 3, 2013 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

Consoled: Police gather near the scene on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, after gunshots were heard. Police say the U.S. Capitol has been put on a security lockdown

Both Secret Service agents and Capitol police officers opened fire on the car in at least two locations near the White House and Capitol Hill. President Obama, who was taking part in an engagement in Maryland, was briefed on the incident. Matthew Coursen was on his way to a legislative office building when the car sped by him. He said: 'The car was trying to get away. But it was going over the median and over the curb. 'The car got boxed in and that's when I saw an officer of some kind draw his weapon and fire shots into the car.' Mr Coursen said: 'I thought to myself, ''The car is getting blocked in. The car is going to surrender,'" he said. 'Now the cop has his weapon out. The car kept trying to get away. Then he fired shots.'

Fleeing: People run for cover as police converge to the site of a shooting October 3, 2013 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The US Capitol was placed on security lockdown Thursday after shots were fired outside the complex

No Chances: Members of the U.S. Secret Service counter assult team patrols the grounds of the White House October 3, 2013 in Washington, DC.

Eye-witness Frank Schwing, who lives in DC, told reporters that when the vehicle approached the area of the Capitol building, several squad cars stopped it and officers 'came out with their guns drawn'. The armed officers tried to open the passenger side door, he said. Mr Schwing continued: 'At that point, the driver slammed into reverse, slammed into a cruiser, did a 180 (degree turn), took off, and at that point, there were a half dozen or so shots fired.' During the lock down, Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo) told MSNBC: 'Weve locked the doors. We closed the window shades. And we are awaiting further instructions. 'Were more or less cut off here. Were watching TV and just trying to figure out what happened.'

A damaged US Capitol police car is seen following a car chase and reported shooting incident, on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, USA, 03 October 2013

Fighting Force: An armed unit makes it's way to the U.S. Capitol following a shooting in Washington October 3, 2013. The Capitol was in lockdown on Thursday

Armed Agents: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents patrol the area after gunshots were fired outside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, October 3, 2013

Protect: A U.S. Capitol police officer lies on the steps of the Senate with a gun drawn in response to a report of shots fired Thursday, Oct. 3, 2012

Emergency personal help an injured person after a shooting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. Police say the U.S. Capitol has been put on a security lockdown amid reports of possible shots fired outside the building

US CAPITOL SHOOTING: Injured officer air lifted from scene

Armed for A U.S. Capitol Police officer stands guard following a shooting near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, October 3, 2013. The Capitol was in lockdown on Thursday

Terror: People take cover as gun shots are heard at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on October 3, 2013. The US Capitol was placed on security lockdown

Response: Police react on Capitol Hill October 3, 2013 in Washington, DC, after shots fired were reported near 2nd Street NW and Constitution Avenue on Capitol Hill

Ready: Secret Service agents in uniform lock down the North Lawn and entrances to the White House, after reports of a shooting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, October 3, 2013

All Precautions Taken: A member of the US Secret Service looks out toward Lafayette Park from the roof of the White House in Washington, DC, October 3, 2013, following reports of a shooting at the US Capitol

Lockdown: A member of the Capitol Police dons a protective vest in the basement of the US Capitol following reports of a shooting on October 3, 2013 in Washington, DC

Rush: Police run at the corner of Constitution and First Street next to a wrecked police car after shots fired were reported near 2nd Street NW and Constitution Avenue on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC

Read more: Police suspect dental hygienist Miriam Carey was behind the wheel of Capitol chase Woman in DC chase may have thought Obama was stalking her, sources say ABC News: Miriam Carey, Capitol Suspect, Suffered Post-Partum Depression New York Daily News: U.S. Capitol shooting: Brooklyn neighbor says Connecticut woman shot dead outside Capitol 'seemed like a nice young lady, stable' Attempt to Ram White House Gate Ends With Conn. Woman Dead Woman shot and killed by Capitol police after chaotic chase from White House Attempt to Ram White House Gate Ends With Female Suspect Dead Woman Killed as Shots Are Fired Near U.S. Capitol

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Comments (2869)
Share what you think Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all Report comment Madeleine Turnbull, london, United Kingdom, 9 hours ago like Katherine crystal responded I cant believe that a mom can make $4586 in a few weeks on the internet. over here... WWW.Fb39.Com 45 3 Click to rate Report comment royalcourtier, Auckland, 9 hours ago

Ironic all the references to gunshots being fired. They were fired by police, not anyone threatening the White House or Capitol. Despite there being no enemy, two police have been injured, one driving into a concrete block (!), the other possibly shot. This reminds me of the SAS assault on a collection of wax dummies in the 1986 movie Whoops Apocalypse - "we lost 11 men, but the dummies lost 28". Such gung ho stupidity and trigger-happy recklessness should not happen in the real world. 10 58 Click to rate Report comment Craig Fellows, Las Vegas, United States, 9 hours ago If Obama had a wife she'd be just like her. Oh........ Wait ....... He does. 63 25 Click to rate Report comment Craig Fellows, Las Vegas, United States, 9 hours ago If Obama had a wife, she'd be just like her. Oh..... Wait..... He does have one just like her. 55 21 Click to rate

Report comment The Green Eye, W.A., Australia, 9 hours ago As a schizophrenic, Had America a decent public health system would this woman have been out on the streets to be shot ??? In such a rich country health should be for everyone not just for those with money. 44 63 Click to rate Report comment SueZ2, USA, 9 hours ago Meh, U.S media no longer interested in this story since it wasn't a white tea-party guy with an AR-15 waving a Gadsen flag, driving a car with a Palin bumper sticker and listening to Limbaugh on the radio. Nothing to see here move along. 18 81 Click to rate Report comment najalubar, London, United Kingdom, 10 hours ago FBI Budget $8 Billions, CIA Budget $15 Billions (and don't know how many more agencies), and what they are doing (Killing unarmed Mother with 15 bullets) . Well spend the money... stop... this time they done it free :-) Oh yeh... Folks, We've got her... 15 42 Click to rate Report comment LORNAO, LONDON, United Kingdom, 10 hours ago Is it me, or are the media downplaying this altogether here in the UK as there has been a monumental... Be interested to hear from US subscribers as to how the story some 30 hours later is being handled at their end:) 3 31 Click to rate

Report comment The Green Eye, W.A., Australia, 9 hours ago Having worked in the US and having many American friends the feeling is one of being ashamed. It's quite clear that the reason the woman ran from the first incident was that 5 police officers were pointing semiautomatic firearms at her. Enough to spook anyone let alone

someone with mental problems. 15 shots to kill an unarmed woman PFttttttttttt. 16 61 Click to rate Report comment shoegirl78, manchester, United Kingdom, 10 hours ago Her poor daughter in the car mustve been an absolute wreck all the bullets fired at the car its a miracle shes still alive 4 66 Click to rate Report comment AZWarrior, Phoenix, United States, 10 hours ago She was gunned down by manic cops who have been militarized by the Bush and Obama administrations. This "SWAT attitude" is becoming more and more common as we descend into a Police State. I wonder what al-Quieda thinks now that we are doing to ourselves what they could only dream of doing. 30 73 Report comment royalcourtier, Auckland, 9 hours ago Descend into a police state? I don't think so. The US has been a military state for years. No one talks of the military-industrial complex these days, could that be because the complex is now running the Government? 7 34 Click to rate The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

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