Capitol Police said in a statement that Officer Brian D. Sicknick died at about 9:30 pm ET Thursday “due to injuries sustained while on duty.”
The death is being investigated by the suicide branch of the DC Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Capitol Police and their federal partners.
“Officer Sicknick was responding to the riots on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol and was injured while physically engaged by protesters. He returned to his department office. and fell. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, “the statement read.
Sicknick joined the Capitol Police in July 2008, and most recently served in the department’s Responder Unit.
“The entire USCP Department extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Sicknick on their loss, and mourns the loss of a friend and colleague,” Capitol Police said.
Sicknick is the fifth person to die as a result of Wednesday’s uprising. One woman was shot and killed by Capitol Police when the crowd broke into the building and three others suffered a fatal medical emergency.
Shortly after 1pm ET Wednesday hundreds of pro-Trump protesters were pushed through obstacles set up on the outskirts of the Capitol, where they clashed with officials in full riot gear, some calling on the “spy” officers for their work.
About 90 minutes later, police said demonstrators entered the building and the doors of the House and Senate were locked. Shortly afterwards, the floor of the House was evacuated by police. Vice President Mike Pence was also removed from the chamber, where he was about to fulfill his role in counting election votes.
An armed standoff was held at the front door of the House around 3pm ET, and police officers’ guns were fired at someone trying to break into it.
As a result of the incident, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund is stepping down. He said in a statement earlier Thursday that Capitol Police and other law enforcement officers were actively attacked with metal pipes and other weapons.
“They were determined to enter the Capitol Building by causing major damage,” Sund said.
“The violent attack on the U.S. Capitol was unlike any I’ve ever seen in my 30 years in law enforcement here in Washington, DC,” he said. “Maintaining public safety in an open environment – particularly for First Amendment activities – has long been a challenge. “
However, lawyers say they are concerned about a lack of preparation among law enforcement because it was known weeks ago that Trump was inciting a rally he said was aimed at blocking Biden’s testimony. win.
Representative. Mike Quigley, a Democrat in Illinois who was locked in a House chamber during an armed stand between Capitol Police and riots, praised the officers in the building who put their lives on the line, but made it clear that they were no longer height and enforcing the law under preparation.
“The Capitol Police I was around did an amazing job in difficult situations,” Quigley told CNN. “My concern was not as strong as the Capitol Police. It was an hour before the debate started, I looked at the people surrounding different parts of the Capitol and I said, there is no security enough of us. “
Quigley said: “I’m not a security expert, but you can tell we were out an hour before the debate,” referring to Congress talks to confirm Biden’s victory.