WASHINGTON, D.C. — An ISIS attack in Brussels Tuesday should be a wake up call for the United States to be as vigilant as ever of terrorism, said U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito in response to the violence in the Belgian capital city.
“Our thoughts go out to the family members. I understand some Americans are injured,” Capito said of the attack that killed at least 31 people and injured over 200. “It just shows you that the global threat of terrorism is very real; it’s brutal. It can happen anywhere, and Europe has been particularly vulnerable. But that doesn’t mean we’re not vulnerable.”
Several explosions, at least one of which was caused by a suicide bomber, rocked the Brussels airport and subway.
“We’re absolutely vulenerable. But we need to just make sure we devote the resources, have good intelligence,” Capito said. “If you see something, say something and stay on heightened alert and be patient with enhanced security.”
Capito thought the United States had done a good job securing events with large crowds, as well as public transportation systems. But she said the random nature of attacks is still cause for concern.
“You can’t predict and it doesn’t take that much, that many people to just wreak havoc,” she said. “I think what we’re doing we’re on the right track, but we know we have vulernarability. We just need to manage those and eliminate them.”
Following the attack, police were on heightend alert in the United States, including in New York City, as well as in airports throughout Europe.
Tuesday’s act of terrorism came just days after investigators closed in on Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam, who was one of the world’s most wanted men, hiding out in a Brussels suburb.
One man is believed to be on the run, while two others blew themselves up in the attacks.