Page 9 - Turmoil in America: The 2020 Election

Casualties of the Capitol Siege

During the siege on the US Capitol, a police of cer, Brian Sicknick, fell ill while
defending the building against intruders. He later died. Authorities believe Sick-
nick was hit with a lethal dose of bear spray—a chemical repellant hikers use
when they are confronted by bears in the wild.
In March 2021 two of the rioters were charged with assaulting Sicknick.
They were identi ed as Julian Khater of State College, Pennsylvania, and George
Tanios of Morgantown, West Virginia. Authorities said they examined videos and
photographs from the siege and determined that Khater and Tanios red the bear
spray cannisters numerous times during the day. One video showed Sicknick
and two other of cers stricken by the repellant.
Four of the rioters also died in the melee. They included Benjamin Philips of
Ringtown, Pennsylvania, who died of a stroke during the chaotic day; Rosanne
Boyland of Kennesaw, Georgia, who died as she was crushed by rioters attempt-
ing to force their way into the Capitol; Kevin D. Greeson of Athens, Alabama, who
suffered a fatal heart attack during the siege; and Ashli Babbitt of San Diego,
California, who was shot by a police of cer as she attempted to force her way in
through a door of the Capitol.

Meanwhile, members of Congress who were meeting in the
House Chamber were ordered by security offi cers to take cover.
Many hid under desks. One member of the House, Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez of New York City, said later that she feared for her
life during the siege. “I did not know if I was going to make it to
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the end of that day alive,” she said.
Security offi cers in the Capitol were also concerned about the
safety of Pence. He had defi ed the president’s wishes to deny
Biden the Electoral College count. In fact, during the riot Trump
wrote on his Twitter account, “Mike
Pence didn’t have the courage to do
what should have been done to pro- “I did not know if I was going
tect our Country and our Constitu- to make it to the end of that
tion.” At about two o’clock, Pence day alive.” 46
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and all members of Congress and
their staffs were evacuated from the — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, member
of US House of Representatives from
Capitol under heavy guard by security New York
guards and Secret Service agents.

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