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FBI pinpoints a single suspect in the death of US Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick

brian sicknick capitol police
A U.S. Capitol Police officer stands at the door of the Capitol Rotunda near where the late U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick will lie in honor Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Washington. Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via AP, Pool
  • Federal investigators have a suspect in the killing of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick.

  • The probe was narrowed after video footage showed the suspect attacking officers with bear spray.

  • The assailant has not yet been publicly named by federal investigators.

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The FBI has narrowed in on a suspect in the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, The New York Times reported Friday.

Sicknick was among the Capitol Police officers who defended the US Capitol against a pro-Trump mob on January 6. He succumbed to injuries sustained during the riot a day later, on January 7.

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Officials initially said Sicknick was struck by a fire extinguisher, but later said there was no evidence to suggest that he died from blunt force trauma. Federal investigators then launched a probe to look into whether bear spray - a chemical irritant used by rioters during the insurrection - could instead have played a role in Sicknick's death.

After questioning dozens of people, investigators zeroed in on a single suspect after a video showed the individual using bear spray on other officers, law enforcement officials told The Times. Another video also showed the suspect discussing plans to assault officers with bear spray, according to one of the officials.