According to officials, the FBI has zeroed in on an unidentified suspect in the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. Sicknick lost his life due to injuries sustained during the January 6 siege at the U.S. Capitol Building.
CNN reports that initial reports of Sicknick being attacked with a fire extinguisher, which turned out to be untrue. Instead, the theory is he became ill from the bear spray used by the angry mob during the attacks. It was previously reported that Sicknick made it back to his office, where he collapsed. He later died at an area hospital.
“We are awaiting toxicology results and continue to work with other government agencies regarding the death investigation,” U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement.
Newly surfaced video footage is credited with helping investigators narrow down the suspect pool. Despite having video footage and photographs of the attack, investigators have struggled to build a strong murder case in Sicknick’s death. It’s not clear what charges the unknown suspect will face.
“Officer Sicknick’s family has asked for privacy during this difficult time and that the spreading of misinformation stop regarding the cause of his death,” said the statement from Capitol Police. “The Department and the Sicknick family appreciate the outpouring of support for our fallen officer.”
Sicknick, a New Jersey native, laid in state at the Capitol Building earlier this month, an honor typically reserved for the United States government leaders. President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and congressional leaders came to the ceremony to pay their respects to the fallen officer.
