Capitol Police officer dies from injuries suffered in riots, federal murder investigation opened
JACK DATE, MARK OSBORNE and EMILY SHAPIRO
Fri, January 8, 2021, 10:16 AM CST·6 min read
The U.S. attorney's office in D.C. has opened a federal murder investigation into the death of U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who died Thursday night after suffering injuries in the violent siege at the Capitol, three law enforcement sources confirmed to ABC News.
The investigation is being conducted jointly between the FBI and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, with cooperation from U.S. Capitol Police.
Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen said in a statement, "The Department of Justice will spare no resources in investigating and holding accountable those responsible.”
PHOTO: Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick is seen here in an undated file photo. (Courtesy Brian Sicknick)Sicknick responded to Wednesday's riots and "was injured while physically engaging with protesters," Capitol Police said in a statement. "He returned to his division office and collapsed."
He was taken to a hospital where he died at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, police said.
Sicknick, 42, had been with the department for 12 years, most recently working as part of the first responder unit.
PHOTO: A motorcade of police vehicles honor police officer Brian Sicknick, Jan. 7, 2021, in Washington, D.C., who died from injuries sustained as pro-Trump protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol building. (Roberto Adams via Storyful)Sicknick's death is the fifth connected to Wednesday's riots, which saw swarms of pro-Donald Trump protesters overwhelm police barricades, surge into the U.S. Capitol and force lawmakers to go into hiding.
Sicknick's brother said in a statement to ABC News, "After a day of fighting for his life, he passed away a hero."
"I would like to thank all of his brothers and sisters in law enforcement for the incredible compassion and support they have shown my family," he added.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has ordered the flags at the Capitol to be flown at half-staff in Sicknick's honor.
PHOTO: The American flag is lowered to half-staff atop the U.S. Capitol Building following the death of a U.S. Capitol Police Officer, Jan. 8, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)“On behalf of the House of Representatives, I send our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Officer Brian Sicknick, who died after defending the Capitol complex and protecting those who serve and work here," Pelosi said in a statement Friday.
"The perpetrators of Officer Sicknick’s death must be brought to justice," Pelosi said. “The violent and deadly act of insurrection targeting the Capitol, our temple of American Democracy, and its workers was a profound tragedy and stain on our nation’s history. But because of the heroism of our first responders and the determination of the Congress, we were not, and we will never be, diverted from our duty to the Constitution and the American people."
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