WASHINGTON – Federal investigators investigating the death of an American police officer in the Capitol who were killed during the riot on January 6, has seen a suspect who was seen on the video. matter told The Associated Press.
The people said the FBI obtained a video showing the person spraying Brian Sicknick and other police officers during the January 6 riot. But they warned that federal agents had not yet identified the suspect by name and that the act was not directly linked to Sicknick’s death.
The idea that Sicknick died after being sprayed by a chemical irritant, the past few weeks as a new theory in the case emerged.
Investigators initially believed that Sicknick with a fire extinguisher was hit in the head, according to statements gathered early in the investigation, according to the people and another law enforcement officer who has been informed of the matter. But as they gathered more evidence, the theory of the case developed and investigators now believe that Sicknick ingested a chemical – possibly a spray – during the riot, which may have contributed to his death.
The people could not discuss the details of an ongoing investigation in public and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Sicknick died after he defended the Capitol against the mob that stormed the building when Congress voted to confirm Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump. This came after Trump urged supporters at the National Mall to fight like hell to reverse his defeat.
The circumstances surrounding Sicknick’s death remain unclear and a final cause of death has not yet been determined. Police in Capitol said he died after he was injured “when he came physically with protesters in conversation” and the agency’s acting chief this week said officials consider it a duty death.
Sicknick later collapsed, was hospitalized and died. The Justice Department said a federal murder investigation opened after his death, but prosecutors still evaluating what specific charges might be in the case, the people said.
In a statement late Friday, the Capitol Police said the medical examiner’s report on Sicknick’s death is not yet complete. “We are awaiting toxicological results and continue to work with other government agencies on the inquest,” the statement said.
The New York Times first reported to investigators suspect a disadvantage in the case; CNN previously reported law enforcement officers gathered video evidence to identify a handful of potential suspects.
The FBI has released about 250 photos of people who are wanted for the assault of federal law enforcement officers during the riot. Some have been arrested and the Justice Department said about 300 people were charged with federal offenses related to the rioting.
– The Associated Press