A computer programmer who set up a social media site for supporters of President Donald Trump and a man in Alabama who posted online: “Load your guns and go to the streets!” was among the four who died when a mob stormed the American Capitol.
Another victim was Ashli Babbitt, 35, who was fatally shot during the Wednesday raid by rioters, who demanded that Congress reject the result of the presidential election. An ardent Trump supporter, Babbitt followed and promoted many well-known radical conservative activists and conspiracy theories.
The other, Kevin Greeson, 55, of Athens, Alabama; Benjamin Philips, 50, of Ringtown, Pennsylvania; and Rosanne Boyland, 34, of Kennesaw, Georgia, died in medical emergencies, Washington, DC, police said Thursday.
Greeson had a history of high blood pressure and had a heart attack, his family said, and is survived by his wife, Kristi, and children.
“Kevin was a lawyer for President Trump and attended the event on January 6, 2020 to show his support,” the family said in a statement. “He was not there to take part in violence or riots, nor did he approve of such actions.”
Greeson appears to be active on Parler, the ‘Twitter for Conservatives’, where a report with his name and photo lodged threats against Democratic and Republican politicians that Greeson said did not adequately support.
In a message calling for the “militia option” to keep Trump in office, Greeson wrote, “I’m in. He spoke to posts from the far-right Proud Boys and said they should give Antifa ‘hell’.
Greeson also said he hopes House President Nancy Pelosi will get Covid-19 and die, writing on December 17: ‘Let’s take this f —— Country BACK !! Load your guns and go to the streets! ”
Kristi Greeson did not want to confirm whether the account belonged to her husband, but photos he posted on Parler are images of the same person found on his Facebook and Twitter account, which was verified by NBC News.
The 50-year-old Philips died of a stroke, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer, but NBC News could not confirm his cause of death. The computer programmer has set up a social media website for Trump supporters, Trumparoo.com, reports the Inquirer. The site coordinated trips to Washington for people who wanted to attend the protest.
“As my children grieve and process the shocking events of yesterday, I respectfully ask for privacy,” Nicole Mun, Philip’s ex-wife, said in a statement on Thursday.
Mun said she no longer had a relationship with Philip and had nothing further to say. Other family members did not return repeated requests for comment.
Boyland also died due to a medical emergency, authorities said, providing no further information. First respondents did CPR on her around 5pm on Wednesday after she collapsed, NBC Atlanta affiliate WXIA reported. Her family did not send calls and emails for more information.
Ali Gostanian contributed.