[ad_1]
An Indiana heavy metal guitarist was arrested Sunday in connection with the U.S. Capitol riot earlier this month, according to the FBI.
Jon Schaffer, founding member of heavy metal band Iced Earth, faces 6 counts, including committing an act of physical violence in a Capitol building, FBI Indianapolis wrote on Twitter.
“Schaffer was among the rioters who sprayed Capitol police with ‘bear spray’,” the FBI wrote.
INSIDER ATTACK SCARED DAYS BEFORE BIDEN’S INAUGURATION, FBI-AUTHORIZED DC SERVICE MEMBERS
Several people had identified Schaffer as a man seen in a photo on Capitol Hill, according to the Indianapolis Star.
An image of Schaffer was reportedly tagged as Photograph # 25 on an FBI poster seeking help identifying those who illegally entered the building on January 6.
He was pictured in a blue hooded sweatshirt under a tactical vest with a baseball cap that read “Oath Keepers Lifetime Member,” according to a statement of facts posted on the Department of Justice (DOJ) website.
Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump demonstrate inside the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images)
The organization is characterized as a militia of former members of the police and military. Schaffer also attended Trump rallies.
At least five people have died in connection with the riot – including a US Capitol Police officer identified as Brian Sicknick, who died after being injured “while physically engaging with protesters,” reported indicated the authorities.
THE FBI HAS 140,000 IMAGES OF SUSPECTS FROM CAPITOL HEADQUARTERS MAGNET SELFIE
His group comrades issued a statement on January 9 denouncing the siege of the Capitol.
“We absolutely DO NOT condone or support the riots or acts of violence in which the rioters were involved on January 6 at the US Capitol,” Iced Earth bassist Luke Appleton wrote on Instagram. “We hope that everyone involved on this day will be brought to justice to be investigated and held accountable.”
According to the DOJ, the other charges Schaffer faces are:
- “Knowingly entering or remaining in a building or restricted land without legal authorization”
- “Disrupt the smooth running of government affairs”
- “Knowingly engages in an act of physical violence against any person or property in any building or restricted land”
- “Violent entry and disorderly conduct into a Capitol building”
- “Parade, demonstration or picketing in a Capitol building”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He visited the FBI on Sunday afternoon, the newspaper reported.
[ad_2]
Source link