The FBI says that it has pinpointed an individual it believes is responsible for the death of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who died the day following the January 6th domestic terrorist attack on the Capitol, the New York Times reports.
Originally, Sicknick was reported to have died after being assaulted with a fire extinguisher, but medical experts determined that he died from breathing problems triggered by the use of a chemical irritant during the attack. Both law enforcement and the domestic terrorists were deploying such sprays, such as mace and bear spray.
But using video and photos taken during the insurrectionist attack, the FBI has identified a single individual who was spraying bear spray at officers, including Sicknick. Officials are also in possession of this suspect discussing the use of bear spray on officers prior to the attack.
The FBI has identified the individual and has been able to track him through the crowd, but it has not yet identified him. He is the suspect in a homicide investigation opened by the FBI after Sicknick’s death.
Sicknick was injured during the attack and according to Capitol Police “returned to his division office and collapsed.” He died the following day at a local hospital.
More than 138 Capitol Police and DC Metropolitan Police officers were injured during the attack. Sicknick was the only officer who died as a direct result of injuries sustained during the coup attempt, which was undertaken to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the November 2020 election and name Democrat Joe Biden the 46th President of the United States.
Two additional officers committed suicide in the days following the attack.