Current:Home > Markets"One of the most violent and aggressive" Jan. 6 rioters sentenced to more than 7 years -Keystone Wealth Vision
"One of the most violent and aggressive" Jan. 6 rioters sentenced to more than 7 years
View
Date:2025-04-13 10:56:27
A man described by prosecutors as "one of the most violent and aggressive" participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol was sentenced Thursday to more than seven years in prison.
Kyle Fitzsimons, 39, brawled with officers during the insurrection, committing five separate assaults in under 10 minutes, officials said. One of the assaults caused a career-ending and life-altering injury to U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell.
Fitzsimons was convicted in September of last year of 11 charges, including seven felonies.
During the riot, Fitzsimons hurled an unstrung bow at a group of officers, hitting one officer's helmet, officials said. He also tried to pull a fallen officer into the mob. When Gonell tried to protect the fallen officer, Fitzsimons grappled with him, permanently injuring Gonell's shoulder.
Fitzsimons also charged at groups of officers, wildly swinging his fists. After he left the Capitol ground, he told others to "get in there" and fight with police.
Gonell needed surgery after the attack. Despite having served in the Iraq War, Gonell previously told CBS that it was during the riot that he thought he would die.
"He ended my law enforcement career," Gonell wrote in a victim impact statement. "I can no longer do the job I loved and trained my whole life for due to my injuries. Nor take the lieutenant promotion I prepared and passed as I recovered. He changed my life for the worse and I might never fully recover."
Gonell asked that Fitzsimons be given the maximum sentence. The officer attended Fitzsimons' sentencing, CBS affiliate WABI reported.
Images of Fitzsimons quickly gained attention after the riot. He wore a white butcher's coat. Fitzsimons was "bloodied by another rioter's unsuccessful attack" on officers.
Fitzsimons is one of more than 1,000 people who have been arrested for crimes related to the Capitol insurrection.
Prosecutors had asked that Fitzsimons be sentenced to 188 months of incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release. They asked that he be fined $26,892. Fitzsimons was sentenced to 87 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. The judge ordered restitution of $2,000.
"I apologize to this court, my family, and anyone else I disappointed with my conduct," Fitzsimons said during his sentencing.
Aliza ChasanAliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBS News.
TwitterveryGood! (277)
Related
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Shakira to appear in Barcelona court on the first day of her tax fraud trial in Spain
- Papua New Guinea volcano erupts and Japan says it’s assessing a possible tsunami risk to its islands
- More military families are using food banks, pantries to make ends meet. Here's a look at why.
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Counting On's Jeremiah Duggar and Wife Hannah Expecting Baby No. 2
- French performers lead a silent Paris march for peace between Israelis and Palestinians
- Seoul warns North Korea not to launch a spy satellite and hints a 2018 peace deal could be suspended
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Syracuse fires football coach Dino Babers after eight seasons
Ranking
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- Congo’s presidential candidates kick off campaigning a month before election
- China welcomes Arab and Muslim foreign ministers for talks on ending the war in Gaza
- Full transcript of Face the Nation, Nov. 19, 2023
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- Rosalynn Carter: Advocate for Jimmy Carter and many others, always leveraging her love of politics
- 'Stamped From the Beginning' is a sharp look at the history of anti-Black racism
- Tributes for Rosalynn Carter pour in from Washington, D.C., and around the country
Recommendation
Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
Congo’s presidential candidates kick off campaigning a month before election
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter captured on kiss cam at Atlanta Braves and Hawks games
US calls Nicaragua’s decision to leave Organization of American States a ‘step away from democracy’
A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
Papua New Guinea volcano erupts and Japan says it’s assessing a possible tsunami risk to its islands
Chargers coach Brandon Staley gets heated in postgame exchange after loss to Packers
'Fargo' Season 5: See premiere date, cast, trailer as FX series makes long-awaited return