Politics

Capitol Police officer dies from injuries after clashing with pro-Trump mob

Dartunorro Clark and Frank Thorp V
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Pro-Trump supporters stand behind police as they argue with counter protesters during a confrontation near Black Lives Matter plaza in Washington, DC on January 5, 2021, on the eve of a rally of supporters of US President Donald Trump to protest the upcoming certification of Joe Biden's Electoral College as president.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images

A U.S. Capitol Police officer has died a day after clashing with a pro-Trump mob at the Capitol.

Officer Brian D. Sicknick was injured while engaging with protesters Wednesday and returned to his division office, where he collapsed, Capitol Police spokeswoman Eva Malecki said. He was taken to a local hospital where he died about 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

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Sicknick, who joined the Capitol Police department in 2008, is the fifth person to die from Wednesday's violent clash in Washington.

Photo of fallen Capitol Police Officer Brain D. Sicknick
Source: U.S. Capitol Police

Capitol Police fatally shot an Air Force veteran and ardent Trump supporter who was part of the mob that made it into the building. Three other people died in "medical emergencies" following the riot, officials said.

News of the officer's death comes shortly after the resignation of U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund amid criticism of the department's response to rioters who broke through barricades, vandalized the building and clashed with police.

Sund's resignation will go into effect Jan. 16, just a few days shy of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, a police spokeswoman said Thursday. The head of the department's union also called for a "change at the top."