Ariel Pink and John Maus were not the only musicians this week at the big Trump rally in Washington, DC. Louder Sound reports that Jon Schaffer, founder and guitarist of the Florida power metal band Iced Earth, also attended – and unlike the others, he was actually taken down when he participated in the violent crowd in the Capitol building.
Schaffer is now being sought by the FBI for his role in the uprising, with a page on the agency’s website seeking the public’s help in locating Schaffer and other interested parties. The Columbia District Metropolitan Police Department is offering a reward of up to $ 1,000 for information that could lead to their arrest.
Blind Guardian frontman Hansi Kürsch, who also plays with Schaffer in the group Demons & Wizards, spoke out about the assault on the Capitol. “We are deeply shocked and think of the relatives of the deceased,” he wrote. “We expressly distance ourselves from any form of violence, regardless of whether it is used against institutions or persons.”
“The incidents will be thoroughly investigated and those responsible will be brought to justice,” the Blind Guardian statement said. “We ask you to understand that we will not be commenting on the news at this time.”
Schaffer is a well-known Trump supporter who previously attended another Washington rally in November to protest the outcome of the election. “A group of thugs and criminals have long since hijacked this country,” he told the German newspaper The world at that point. “Now they are making a big step, and it’s not going to happen. And that’s what it’s. ”