US

Man Seen Striking Capitol Police Officer With Fire Extinguisher Arrested, Charged

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A man accused of striking a US Capitol Police Officer with a fire extinguisher during the Jan. 6 riots has been arrested, court documents show.

Robert Sanford was arrested on Thursday morning in Pennsylvania, according to the Justice Department.

According to the documents, he’s been charged on four counts in relation to the riots, including:

  • Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority
  • Disorderly or disruptive conduct on Capitol grounds
  • Civil disorder
  • Assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers while engaged in the performance of official duties

The statement of facts state that Sanford was seen on video carrying a red object, which it states appears to be a fire extinguisher, as he stepped over a short wall. It says he hurls the red object towards police officers where it struck one officer who was wearing a helmet. It then ricochets and strikes another officer, without a helmet, before ricocheting again to strike a third officer in the head. That officer is also wearing a helmet, the statement said.

It also quotes Officer William Young, who said he “felt a hard strike to the back of his helmet.” He saw the fire extinguisher on the ground but didn’t see who struck him, the statement said. Young was evaluated at the hospital and cleared to return to duty, the statement notes.

The statement also said that Sanford was identified on Tuesday to the FBI in Pennsylvania.

Sanford was charged on Wednesday in US District Court, according to court records.

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