The Washington, D.C., police officer who died after pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol building may have died from a medical condition.
“Authorities believe Sicknick’s death was driven by a medical condition,” ABC News reported, citing “sources familiar with the matter.”
Officer Brian Sicknick died on Thursday after responding to the protests Wednesday. Some news reports soon said that he died after he was hit with a fire extinguisher, but officials have not confirmed that report and are looking for video of that alleged incident.
The U.S. Capitol Police said Sicknick “was injured while physically engaging with protesters” on Wednesday. The police added, “He returned to his division office and collapsed.”
The U.S. attorney’s office has since opened a federal murder investigation into the death.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and fellow officers of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who succumbed last night to the injuries he suffered defending the U.S. Capitol, against the violent mob who stormed it on January 6th,” acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen said in a statement. “The FBI and Metropolitan Police Department will jointly investigate the case and the Department of Justice will spare no resources in investigating and holding accountable those responsible.”
Sicknick had worked for the Capitol Police for 12 years and was a military veteran.
“Many details regarding Wednesday’s events and the direct causes of Brian’s injuries remain unknown and our family asks the public and the press to respect our wishes in not making Brian’s passing a political issue,” his family said in a statement.
