US Capitol Police: Officer dies from injuries suffered in riots
In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, supporter of President Donald Trump protest as U.S. Capitol Police officers shoot tear gas at demonstrators outside of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. [AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File]
U.S. Capitol Police said Thursday night that a police officer died from injuries suffered during Wednesday’s protests and riots at the nation’s Capitol.
The department said Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick died at about 9:30 p.m. local time. He was injured while physically engaging with protesters and collapsed after returning to his division office.
Earlier in the night, Minnesota Congressman Rep. Dean Phillips, the state’s 3rd Congressional District representative, said in a tweet that he’d learned one U.S. Capitol police officer had died from injuries suffered from the events that took place on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Capitol Police said that wasn’t true before confirming the officer’s death a few hours later.
"I’ve been advised a US Capitol Police officer has died of injuries sustained in yesterday’s assault on the Capitol," Phillips said. "My heart goes out to the family of the officer and to all who risk their lives every day to protect and serve our communities with dignity and principle."
I’ve been advised a US Capitol Police officer has died of injuries sustained in yesterday’s assault on the Capitol. My heart goes out to the family of the officer and to all who risk their lives every day to protect and serve our communities with dignity and principle.
— Rep. Dean Phillips ???? (@RepDeanPhillips) January 8, 2021
The department said Sicknick’s death will be investigated by Metropolitan Police’s Homicide Unit and federal partners.
Sicknick joined the department in 2008 and had most recently served in the department’s First Responders Unit.
"The entire USCP Department expresses its deepest sympathies to Officer Sicknick’s family and friends on their loss, and mourns the loss of a friend and colleague. We ask that Officer Sicknick’s family, and other USCP officers’ and their families’ privacy be respected during this time," Capitol Police said in a statement.
One woman was shot and killed by a U.S. Capitol police officer on Wednesday, after President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and broke into the building. Three others died in what police called "medical emergencies."