Brian D. Sicknick: Murder prosecution to be launched into Capitol police officer death

A federal murder investigation will opened into the death of Brian D. Sicknick, the police officer who died after a mob of Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building.

The US Capitol Police said in a statement that Officer Sicknick was injured "while physically engaging with protesters" during the Wednesday riot. He is the fifth person to die as a result of the siege.

Prosecutors now plan to open a murder investigation into Officer Sicknick's death, CNN reported.

The riot on Wednesday came after Mr Trump held a rally near the White House where urged supporters to march on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers were scheduled to confirm Joe Biden's presidential victory. 

The mob swiftly broke through police barriers, smashed windows and paraded through the halls, sending lawmakers into hiding.

One protester, a white woman, was shot to death by Capitol Police, and there were dozens of arrests. Three other people died after "medical emergencies" related to the breach.

Republican Senator Ben Sasse said news of the police officer's death was "gut-wrenching."

"None of this should have happened," the representative from Nebraska said in a statement. "Lord, have mercy."

The Capitol Police statement read: "Officer Sicknick was responding to the riots on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol and was injured while physically engaging with protesters.

“He returned to his division office and collapsed. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.”

Two House Democrats on committees overseeing the Capitol police budgets said those responsible need to be held to answer for the "senseless" death.

"We must ensure that the mob who attacked the People's House and those who instigated them are held fully accountable," said Democrat Senators Rosa DeLauro and Tim Ryan, in a statement.