According to multiple media reports, the FBI has confined a suspect in the death of Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick.
Identifying the man who believed to have used bear spray on multiple people during the January 6 raid on the Capitol is a priority for the agency, CBS News reported, citing unidentified sources.
It’s not clear exactly how New Jersey-born Sicknick, 42, died. The day after the attack, Capitol police said Sicknick was injured “while in physical contact with protesters.” Multiple reports said he was hit with a fire extinguisher. But it now turns out that his death may have been caused by a reaction to the bear spray, a chemical that irritates the eyes, nose and lungs and can cause them to swell.
The New York Times first reported that a suspect had been located in the case.
However, Capitol Police issued a statement Friday evening in response to reports stating that the medical examiner’s report is not yet complete.
“We await toxicology results and continue to work with other government agencies regarding the death investigation,” the statement said.
The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for clarification on Saturday.
Sicknick was honored in the Capitol and was to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
More than 300 people who took part in the Capitol riot have been charged with various crimes.