A senior law enforcement official told Fox News that investigators “are not ruling out chemical irritants” as a potential factor in the death of Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick during the January 6 riot.
The source noted that the investigation remains open and that the authorities are “looking at everything”.
Capitol Officer Brian Sicknick
((US Capitol Police))
Sicknick, 42, died in the hospital just a day after protecting lawmakers during the January 6 riot at the United States Capitol.
Police sources confirmed to Fox News that an autopsy was performed on Sicknick, but that the cause of death and other medical examination information were not revealed. Fox News was informed immediately after Sicknick’s death that authorities would treat the investigation as a homicide investigation.
Sicknick’s remains were cremated before he was honored at the Capitol Rotunda last week, while dozens of police, Congressional leaders, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden paid tribute.
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In a letter on Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Asked members to sign the co-sponsor legislation that attributes the Congressional Gold Medal to the Capitol Police.
“The remarkable heroism and patriotism of our heroes deserves and demands our deepest thanks, which is why I am honored to introduce legislation to honor the Capitol Police and other officers who protected the US Capitol on January 6 with the Congressional Gold Medal: the highest honor that Congress can bestow, “wrote Pelosi. “The service of the Capitol police force that day brings honor to our democracy, and the acceptance of this Gold Medal will bring brilliance to this award.”
Pelosi added that “we must never forget the sacrifice of Officer Brian Sicknick, Officer Howard Liebengood, MPD Officer Jeffrey Smith and more than 140 officers who suffered physical injuries, or the courage of heroes like Officer Eugene Goodman”.
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The latest news about Sicknick’s investigation comes when special FBI agents and members of the agency’s Joint Task Force on Terrorism arrested three individuals in Missouri and Kansas on federal charges related to violence in the United States Capitol.
William Chrestman, from Olathe, Kansas, was arrested on Thursday on charges of conspiracy, civil disorder, obstruction of an official process, threat of assaulting a federal officer, intentionally entering or staying in a restricted building or land without legal authority and conduct rowdy.
Christopher Kuehn of Olathe was also arrested on federal charges of conspiracy, civil disorder, obstruction of an official process, intentionally entering or remaining in a restricted building or land without legal authority and disorderly conduct.
Louis Colon, of Blue Springs, Missouri, was arrested on federal charges of conspiracy, civil disorder, obstruction of official process, intentionally entering or remaining in any restricted building or land without legal authority and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
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According to criminal complaints, the trio “moved forward by illegally entering the United States Capitol grounds and the Capitol building itself” and proceeded to “act together to prevent police officers from controlling the crowd by obstructing the metal barriers that had been deployed to prevent the crowd from advancing in other areas of the Capitol. “
William Chrestman (photo courtesy of the Department of Justice)
In images captured from the January 6 riot, Chrestman appears to be wearing a black baseball cap, black glasses, a black sweatshirt, black boots, beige gloves, green and tan camouflage pants and a green tactical vest. He also carried what appeared to be a wooden club or ax handle disguised as a flag.
Christopher Kuehn (photo courtesy of the Department of Justice)
Kuehn appears to be wearing a beige helmet with orange fluorescent tape affixed to the top and back, a black and beige mask, a black jacket, beige pants, orange sunglasses and a black backpack with two orange rolls hanging from the back.
Louis Colon (photo courtesy of the Department of Justice)
Colon appears to be wearing a black helmet with orange fluorescent tape affixed to the front and back, an American flag-patterned face mask, an orange hooded sweatshirt, black sunglasses, black pants, black gloves and a black backpack with a red bandana tied to the back of the backpack.
Chrestman, Kuehn and Colon marching between Proud Boys (photo courtesy of the Department of Justice)
Data from cell phone sites legally obtained by federal officials indicates that all three men were present in or around the U.S. Capitol on January 6 and other videos and images appear to show the men marching alongside Proud Boy organizers Joseph Biggs and Ethan Nordean.
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At one point during the violent siege, Crestman yelled at the cops “you shoot and I will end your shit!”
As he progressed towards the Capitol’s front square, Crestman appeared to take off his black helmet and put on what appeared to be a respirator. The video also shows Chrestman addressing the crowd shouting “Whose house is this?”, To which the crowd replied “Our house!” Then Crestman shouted, “Do you want your home back?” to which the crowd replied “Yes!” and Chrestman replied, “Take it!”
(Photo courtesy of the Department of Justice)
The trio later appears along with Kuehn pointing at Colon and grabbing a podium to prevent a police barrier from closing, according to federal authorities, and Colon then grabs a chair to block a separate barrier.
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The FBI continues to search for other individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the individuals involved can send a tip at https://tips.fbi.gov/.
Fox News Jake Gibson and Vandana Rambaran contributed to this report