FBI questions dozens in killing of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick: report

The FBI has interviewed dozens of individuals as it investigates the killing of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, The New York Times reports.

The Times, citing a memo issued by the bureau, originally reported Friday that the FBI was investigating 37 people in connection with the killing. However, a bureau official later told the newspaper that the figure was inaccurate.

The newspaper reported it was unclear how many were being investigated in connection to the attack, though the official told the Times that the FBI has conducted dozens of interviews.

Sicknick succumbed to injuries he sustained on Jan. 6 as rioters reportedly hit him with a fire extinguisher as they streamed into the Capitol. The 42-year-old was a military veteran and served on the Capitol Police force for 12 years.

The officer was among five people who died amid the chaos on Capitol Hill last week. Another woman died after being shot by a Capitol Police officer while trying to climb through a broken window. Police said last week that three other people died due to medical emergencies.

Dozens of Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police officers were injured during the violence last Wednesday. The Times reported that the FBI memo, a copy of which it obtained, said that 14 Capitol Police officers were injured during the riot.

On Thursday, a retired Pennsylvania firefighter was arrested in connection to throwing a fire extinguisher that hit officers after he was identified in video footage from the incident. The man now faces federal charges including assaulting a police officer. The incident is reportedly separate from the deadly attack against Sicknick.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said Thursday that more than 100 people have been arrested across the country in connection to the Capitol riot and dozens more have been identified as potential suspects.

Multiple inspectors general for federal agencies including the departments of Homeland Security and Justice have opened investigations into the response to the riot. Officials have said they will also look into how federal agencies shared information prior to Jan 6.

The effort comes as law enforcement agencies increase security measures in preparation for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next week.

UPDATED: This story was updated at 6:15 p.m. to reflect new information from the FBI.