A US Capitol police officer has died from injuries sustained when pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday, according to CNN.
The officer is the fifth person to die as a result of Wednesday’s violence. One woman was shot and killed by Capitol Police as rioters breached the building. Three others died as a result of medical emergencies, including a heart attack.
The officer has been identified as Brian D. Sicknick.
“Officer Sicknick was responding to the riots on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol and was injured while physically engaging with protesters. He returned to his division office and collapsed. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,” the statement from Capitol Police officials read.
His death is being investigated by the DC Metropolitan Police Department’s homicide branch, the US Capitol Police and their federal partners, according to CNN.
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More than 50 officers were injured and 15 required hospitalized.
Lawmakers are angry over the lack of preparedness among law enforcement given that it had been known for weeks that Trump was promoting the rally aimed at stopping the certification of Joe Biden’s victory. Trump also spoke at the rally earlier in the day and urged his followers to march to the Capitol.
Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund resigned on Thursday as did the House sergeant-at-arms. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would fire the Senate sergeant-at-arms if he didn’t resign by the time he becomes majority leader later this month, according to the Hill.
Updated to include more information.
