FL Man Among Jan. 6 Rioters Who Attacked Officers At U.S. Capitol: DOJ

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A South Florida man was among the Jan. 6, 2021, rioters who attacked officers during the U.S. Capitol breach, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.

Richard Cook, 37, was arrested Thursday and charged with civil disorder – a felony – and other related misdemeanor offenses, the agency said.

Cook was among rioters who repeatedly engaged in violence against law enforcement officers guarding the Capitol. He confronted officers in the lower west terrace and tunnel areas of the building.

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Just after 3 p.m., he entered the tunnel on the lower west side and made his way into the mob pushing against officers while yelling, “Heave ho” and “Push,” DOJ said.

Cook entered the tunnel two separate times to assist in the collective pushes against police officers as the rioters tried to gain access to the Capitol building. At one point, one police officer screamed in pain as the weight of the rioters’ pushes pinned him between a shield and a door, the agency said.