PA Man Hit Capitol Police With Flagpole During Jan. 6 Breach: Feds

PENNSYLVANIA — A Pennsylvania man has been arrested and charged with assaulting law enforcement, after federal officials said he used a flagpole to hit U.S. Capitol Police officers during the breach in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021.

Lowell Gates, 63, of Mechanicsburg, faces felony charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon; and obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, according to the Department of Justice.

According to court documents, Gates can be seen on body-worn camera footage "throwing an object at a group of law enforcement officers before assaulting them with a flagpole" during the attempted insurrection.

"Video footage shows Gates using the flagpole in a spear-like motion to lunge at the officers, striking at them at least three times," officials said.

Gates traveled to Washington, D.C. with friends on the morning of Jan. 6, 2021 and attended a rally at the Ellipse, according to court documents. He then walked toward the Capitol building, approaching the restricted West Plaza grounds, court records show.

"Video footage taken from that day shows Gates appearing to use a cell phone to photograph and or video the riot while standing near the scaffolding on the side of the West Plaza," officials added.

Officials charged Gates in a criminal complaint, which was filed in the District of Columbia. He also faces misdemeanor charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, and violent conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, per the Department of Justice.

Gates was arrested on Monday, Aug. 7 in Harrisburg, according to officials. He will make his initial appearance in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.