Baker Misattributes MA Native's Death To Jan. 6 Attack

MASSACHUSETTS — Gov. Charlie Baker walked back a statement on the anniversary of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol that incorrectly attributed the death of Capitol police officer and Massachusetts native William Evans to the attack.

In his initial statement on Twitter, Baker said, "one of those officers who lost his life that day was William Evans, a North Adams native who tragically leaves a beautiful family."

"His actions and his colleagues' actions that day will stand as shining examples of heroism and bravery," Baker continued.

However, Evans was killed in April when a driver rammed into him and another officer at a barricade outside the Senate. The driver, 25-year-old Noah Green, came out of the car with a knife and was shot dead by police.

Gov. Baker's office did not comment on the error, but pointed Patch to a revised statement, which refers to Evans as "one of the officers who lost his life protecting the Capitol last year."

"His sacrifice, and his colleagues' actions, will stand as shining examples of heroism and bravery," Baker said.

Evans, 41, was raised in North Adams and Clarksburg and was a graduate of Drury High School and Western New England University in Springfield. He had served with the U.S. Capitol Police since 2003.

In his remarks, Baker called the Jan. 6 attack a "despicable attempt on the part of former President Trump and his allies to undo what generations of Americans fought and died for, the right to free and fair elections."

"One year ago, citizens across this nation turned away the forces threatening the democratic process and saw through a fair, transparent election for the most powerful office of the world – proving again the system is greater than a single faction," Baker said.

Read his statement below: