Brian Sicknick, a police officer, has died following the riots on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, January 6th.
A second U.S. Capitol Police officer has committed suicide three days after the violent chaos. Officer Howard Liebengood, 51, killed himself while off-duty on Saturday.
U.S. Capitol Police has begun a murder investigation into the death of Brian Sicknick, an army veteran and police officer. He was injured when thousands of Trump-supporting rioters stormed the Capitol last week.
After becoming physically involved with violent rioters, Brian Sicknick later returned to his police office, where he collapsed and was admitted to the hospital.
On Thursday, he died after suffering a stroke and spending his final hours on life support in the hospital.
Along with federal law enforcement agencies, the police department of Washington has engaged their homicide team in the investigation into Sicknick’s death, according to Capitol Police.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi has offered condolences to the family of Brian Sicknick and has vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
Condolences were also shared by White House spokesman Judd Deere and Kevin McCarthy, the Republican leader in the House.
Flags at the Capitol were lowered in Sicknick’s honor on Thursday when the news of his death broke. Brian Sicknick was a supporter of President Donald Trump, according to his social media pages.
The invasion happened as Congress met to certify the 2020 U.S. election result, which saw current president, Donald Trump, lose to Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
Ahead of the gathering, President Trump had encouraged his supporters to travel to Washington for a rally. Trump has yet to say a word about the death of Brian Sicknick.
Charles Sicknick confirmed that Trump has yet to reach out and pay his respects to his late son.
The grieving father said that while the fallen officer was a fan of Trump, he respected everyone, and his first day on the job was former President Barack Obama‘s 2009 inauguration.
The dad shared: “He loved his job. He just got along really well with everybody because he was a gentleman.”
President-elect Joe Biden called the family of the late officer to share a word of compassion. DOJ and FBI officials announced that they were “investigating the circumstances” of Officer Sicknick’s death.
Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen said in a statement: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and fellow officers of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who succumbed last night to the injuries he suffered defending the U.S. Capitol against the violent mob who stormed it on January 6th.”
Rosen added: “The FBI and Metropolitan Police Department will jointly investigate the case, and the Department of Justice will spare no resources in investigating and holding accountable those responsible.”
President-elect Joe Biden called fallen Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick’s brother on Sunday, according to two Biden officials.
Biden joins VP Pence in calling Sicknick’s family.
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 10, 2021
The police chief at the Capitol, Steven Sund, is expected to resign from his role on January 16th, after the violent protestors managed to avoid security checks and invade the Capitol, looting Congress and leaving windows smashed as staff and senators alike fled for their safety.
Brian Sicknick is among five people who have now lost their lives due to the violent invasion. They include a woman, Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot by police during the riots, and three others who died from injuries.
A disturbing video has surfaced showing a young member of the Capitol Police Department bloodied and getting crushed by protesters inside the Capitol building.
The young officer was pinned between a riot shield and metal door as he screamed for help.
