A Capitol Police officer died on Thursday from injuries sustained during Wednesday’s pro-Trump riot at the Capitol, The New York Times reports.
Officer Brian Sicknick died from injuries he suffered “while physically engaging” the rioters. Sicknick is the fifth person to die in connection with the siege.
It’s unclear how Sicknick was injured. The Capitol Police said in a statement that he “passed away due to injuries sustained while on duty.”
“He returned to his division office and collapsed,” the statement said. “He was taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.”
Sicknick had been on the force since 2008. He is the fourth member of the Capitol Police to be killed since it was founded two centuries ago.
Four others died in the riot, including one woman who was fatally shot by Capitol Police while trying to breach the House chamber and three others who died in separate medical emergencies, police said.
Lawmakers call for probe:
House lawmakers called for an investigation into the Capitol Police response after the rioters were easily able to overrun security.
“To honor his memory, we must ensure that the mob who attacked the People’s House and those who instigated them are held accountable,” House Appropriations Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro said.
"I think we have to have a full review," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday. "What was underestimated? That the president of the United States would not be as inciteful? Perhaps somebody thought for a moment that he would be patriotic before he leaves office for just this once."
"We were told that was all in place and there was no doubt completely able to keep us secure in the Capitol," said House Administration Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren. "Well that was not correct. Not only were they not prepared, what they told me about the National Guard was just not true. The guard was not even activated.”
Top security officials resign:
The condemnation of the law enforcement response prompted Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving, and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Stenger to resign.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called for a “painstaking investigation and thorough review” of the “massive failure of institutions, protocols, and planning that are supposed to protect the first branch of our federal government.”
“The ultimate blame for yesterday lies with the unhinged criminals who broke down doors, trampled our nation’s flag, fought with law enforcement, and tried to disrupt our democracy, and with those who incited them,” he said. “But this fact does not and will not preclude our addressing the shocking failures in the Capitol’s security posture and protocols.”
