According to a source, the FBI has found a suspect who can be linked to Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick’s death. The federal officials are concentrating on the theory that Sicknick could have fallen ill after been attacked with bear spray.
This theory had been reported earlier by CNN who also said that video evidence had shown that it was the probable cause of the officer’s death. The pro-Trump protesters, who attacked the Capitol on January 6, had used bear spray as one of their weapons of destruction.
Late Friday, the U.S. Capitol Police had said in a statement that the medical examiner’s report on Sicknick was not as yet completed and that they were waiting for toxicology results. They said that they were also working with other government agencies as they continued to investigate his death.
The statement added that Officer Sicknick’s family had asked for privacy as they face difficult times. They also requested people not to spread misinformation. Both the Department and the family thanked all those who had supported their “fallen officer.”
Sicknick’s body was laid in honor in the Rotunda in the capital, a few weeks ago. President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and several congresspersons had paid their respects.
Earlier, the New York Times had reported that the federal investigators had identified one suspect but hadn’t been able to identify him by name.
Earlier, CNN had also reported that the investigators had narrowed down the list of suspects to a few specific persons as a result of new video evidence.
In police audio played during former President Trump’s second impeachment trial, officers were heard screaming that they were being attacked with bear spray, as the violence of the mob increased after they breached the Capitol.
Investigations have been on from day one but it has been difficult to determine the moment Sicknick suffered fatal injuries that are required to raise a federal murder charge. Previous reports that he was struck with a fire extinguisher are not true.
As per to court documents 100 police officers had been injured and 15 had been hospitalized after the January mob attack. Several people face charges of attacking police officers but no specific person, to date, has been charged with reference to Sicknick.
