What we know about the 5 people who died during Wednesday’s Capitol riot

WASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) — The death of a Capitol Police officer brings the toll from Wednesday’s riot at the U.S. Capitol to five people.

The riot has shocked the world and forced the resignations of three top Capitol security officials over the failure to stop the breach. It led lawmakers to demand a review of operations and an FBI briefing over what they called a “terrorist attack.” It is also prompted a broader reckoning over President Donald Trump’s tenure in office and what comes next for a torn nation.

Protesters were urged by President Trump during a rally near the White House earlier Wednesday to head to Capitol Hill, where lawmakers were scheduled to confirm Biden’s presidential victory. A mob broke through police barriers, smashed windows and paraded through the halls, sending lawmakers into hiding.

Here’s what we know about the lives that were lost:

Officer Brian Sicknick, 42

The U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement that Officer Brian D. Sicknick was injured “while physically engaging with protesters” during the Wednesday riot. He was the fifth person to die because of the Capitol protest and violence.

During the struggle at the Capitol, Sicknick, 42, was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher, two law enforcement officials said. The officials could not discuss the ongoing investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

His family said in a statement Friday that Sicknick wanted to be a police officer his entire life. He served in the New Jersey Air National Guard before joining the Capitol Police in 2008.

“Many details regarding Wednesday’s events and the direct causes of Brian’s injuries remain unknown, and our family asks the public and the press to respect our wishes in not making Brian’s passing a political issue,” the family said.

Ashli Babbitt, 35

Capitol Police on Thursday identified Babbitt, 35, as the woman who was fatally shot by an unidentified officer. Bystander video shows she was trying to climb through the broken window of a barricaded doorway inside the Capitol when the officer fired.

Babbitt, an Air Force veteran who identified as a Libertarian and supporter of the Second Amendment, frequently posted unsubstantiated views about election fraud by the president supporters.

Kevin Greeson, 55

Greeson was from Athens, Alabama. His family says the 55-year-old had a heart attack. They described him as a supporter of President Trump’s but denied that he condoned violence.

Kristi Greeson, his wife said in a statement to NewsNation affiliate WKRG, “he was excited to be there to experience this event — he was not there to participate in violence or rioting, nor did he condone such actions.” She went on to say he had a history of high blood pressure and suffered a heart attack.

“Our family is devastated. We are thankful for all of the thoughts and prayers and appreciate privacy at this time as we grieve,” she wrote. “Kevin was a wonderful father and husband who loved life. He loved to ride motorcycles, he loved his job and his coworkers, and he loved his dogs.”

Benjamin Philips, 50

Philips, 50, of Schuylkill County, Pa., died of a stroke, according to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“As my children are grieving and processing yesterday’s shocking events, I respectfully request privacy,” said Nicole Mun, Philip’s ex-wife, in a statement to the Inquirer.

Rosanne Boyland, 34

This photo provided by Justin Cave shows Rosanne Boyland. Boyland, from Kennesaw, Ga., was one of three people who died of medical emergencies during the violence inside and outside the Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. A friend said Boyland was pinned to the ground and trampled during a violent clash between rioters and police. (Justin Cave via AP)

Boyland, 34 of Kennesaw, Georgia also died due to a medical emergency. Her family said she was a recovering drug addict who wanted to become a sobriety counselor. She believed President Trump won the November election, and she’d begun following a dark conspiracy theory that has circulated online, her family said.

“It just spiraled,” her sister, Lonna Cave, said Friday.

Cave said the family has heard conflicting accounts. A friend who was with her said Boyland was pinned to the ground and trampled during a violent clash between rioters and police. But her sister said a police detective told the family Boyland had collapsed while standing off to the side in the Capitol Rotunda.

Capitol police have not released details about how Boyland died.

Nexstar Media Wire and The Associated Press contributed to this report.