Investigators are trying to find out why a 34-year-old mother from Connecticut led police on a high-speed chase through Washington only to be shot and killed outside the US Capitol.
Miriam Carey, a dental hygienist, allegedly rammed a barrier at the White House in a black Infiniti two-door coupe, then sped down Pennsylvania Avenue with her year-old baby girl at her side.
The infant was placed in protective custody in a Washington children's hospital in the aftermath of a drama that triggered a lockdown of the Capitol on day three of a US government shutdown.
Police who searched her home found a crib, children's toys and baby bottles, but no weapons or anti-government material, the Hartford Courant newspaper reported.
Carey's mother Idella Carey told ABC News that her daughter had "no history of violence" and that it was a mystery why she was in the nation's capital in the first place.
"She had post-partum depression after having the baby" in August last year, she said.
"A few months later, she got sick. She was depressed... She was hospitalised."
Quoting anonymous police sources, NBC News said Carey had "a history of mental issues" and that investigators had "discovered indications" that she believed she was being stalked by President Barack Obama.
On Facebook, there was an outpouring of anger directed at police on a memorial page for Carey created by a friend in the wake of the incident.
"I hope her family sues the Capitol Police Dept," wrote one woman, referring to the well-armed specialised force that patrols the Capitol building and its surroundings.
"Why couldn't they shoot the tires of the vehicle? Deadly force with a child in the car? I just can't understand this."
Officials said the chase began at the outer perimeter of the White House security cordon, where the suspect's car struck a barrier and a uniformed Secret Service officer.
No shots were fired initially, but agents gave chase as the car sped away.
As the vehicle closed in on the Capitol, the seat of Congress, it was cornered by police vehicles and armed officers on foot.
Footage aired by TV broadcasters showed the car executing a tight U-turn as shots rang out, and then speeding off.
Shortly afterward it hit another barrier and more shots were fired.
It was the second major security breach in the US capital in less than three weeks.
On September 16, a deranged gunman stormed the nearby Navy Yard and killed 12 people.
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