A heavy metal guitarist from Indiana was arrested on Sunday in connection with the riot at the United States Capitol earlier this month, according to the FBI.
Jon Schaffer, a founding member of heavy metal band Iced Earth, faces 6 charges, including involvement in an act of physical violence in a Capitol building, the FBI in Indianapolis wrote on Twitter.
“Schaffer was reportedly among the hooligans who sprayed the Capitol police with ‘bear spray’,” wrote the FBI.
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Several people identified Schaffer as a man seen in a photograph on Capitol Hill, according to the Indianapolis Star.
An image of Schaffer was allegedly labeled photograph # 25 on an FBI poster that sought help in identifying those who illegally entered the building on January 6.
He was photographed in a blue hooded sweatshirt under a tactical vest with a baseball cap that read, “Oath Keepers Lifetime Member”, according to a fact statement posted on the Department of Justice (DOJ) website.
Supporters of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, protest inside the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images)
The organization is characterized as a militia of ex-police and military. Schaffer also attended Trump rallies.
At least five people died in connection with the rebellion – including a US Capitol Police officer, identified as Brian Sicknick, who died after being injured “while physically engaging protesters,” officials said.
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His bandmates released a statement on January 9 denouncing the siege of the Capitol.
“We absolutely DO NOT tolerate or support riots or acts of violence in which the protesters were involved on January 6 in the United States Capitol building,” wrote Iced Earth bassist Luke Appleton on Instagram. “We hope that everyone involved that day will be brought to justice to be investigated and accountable for their actions.”
According to the DOJ, the other charges Schaffer is facing are:
- “Intentionally entering or staying in any restricted building or land without legal authority”
- “Disturbing the Orderly Conduct of Government Business”
- “Intensely commits an act of physical violence against any person or property in any building or restricted land”
- “Violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building”
- “Parade, demonstration or picket in a Capitol building”
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He surrendered to the FBI on Sunday afternoon, the newspaper reported.