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Jon Schaffer, center, originally from central Indiana and founder of the heavy metal band Iced Earth, was photographed among a crowd of metal people who stormed the Chapter.
AFP through Getty Images
A heavy metal guitarist accused of being among a group of insurgents in the Capitol who sprayed the police with “bear spray” was arrested on Sunday, according to the FBI.
Jon Schaffer, a founding member of a Florida heavy metal band called Iced Earth, faces six charges, including involvement in an act of physical violence in a building in the Capitol, the FBI office in Indianapolis posted on Twitter.
Schaffer was first identified after his image appeared on an FBI poster looking for insurgents who “illegally entered the Capitol” during the January 6 deadly siege, the Indianapolis Star reported.
He previously attended Trump’s rallies and once appeared as a guest on the radio show of far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, the newspaper reported.
Schaffer’s four bandmates had issued a statement denouncing the riots.
“We hope that all those involved that day are brought to justice to be investigated and held accountable for their actions,” the statement said.
“With broken hearts, we send our love and compassion to all those who have felt the pain of the events of January 6.”