A Pennsylvania man, Joshua Lee Atwood, was charged with attacking police officers with a wooden pole during the January 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol. Atwood was identified by federal law enforcement due to a scar above his left eye and was arrested on several felony and misdemeanor counts, including civil disorder and assaulting an officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon. The DOJ accused Atwood of attacking law enforcement officers defending the Lower West Terrace Tunnel while supporters of former President Donald Trump attempted to forcefully enter the building during Congress’s certification of President Joe Biden’s election win.
Federal officers identified Atwood after receiving a tip that footage of the suspect taken on the day of the riots matched a public mugshot from 2011. In both images, a matching scar can be seen on the left portion of Atwood’s forehead. Atwood was captured on police body-cam footage and surveillance video allegedly using a wooden pole to strike multiple officers in a stabbing motion with significant force. He was seen throwing the pole in the direction of police officers, hitting their shields and ricocheting off a wall. Atwood was also observed outside the Lower West Terrace Tunnel entrance holding a police riot shield, which he allegedly used to strike the shield of another officer. Additionally, Atwood was heard shouting derogatory statements at officers during the riot.
Atwood made his first court appearance in the Western District of Pennsylvania, where he was also arrested in May 2023 for armed robbery and assault in a separate incident in West Virginia. It was unclear at the time of publication whether the suspect had retained an attorney to represent him. More than 1,387 individuals have been charged in connection to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, with suspects coming from nearly all 50 states. Over 493 individuals have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement during the siege. The DOJ noted that the investigation into the Capitol breach remains ongoing.
The arrest of Joshua Lee Atwood highlights the ongoing efforts of federal law enforcement to hold individuals accountable for their actions during the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Atwood’s alleged involvement in assaulting police officers further underscores the violent nature of the riot and the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining order during the siege. The identification of Atwood through a scar above his left eye demonstrates the investigative techniques used by authorities to track down individuals responsible for criminal acts committed during the attack.
The charges against Atwood, including civil disorder and assaulting an officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, emphasize the severity of his alleged actions during the riot. Atwood’s use of a wooden pole to strike law enforcement officers and his confrontational behavior towards authorities captured on surveillance footage and police body-cams paint a picture of a chaotic and dangerous situation at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. The arrest of Atwood serves as a reminder that those involved in criminal activities during the siege will be held accountable for their actions.
The broader context of the January 6 attack, with over 1,387 individuals charged in connection to the siege, highlights the significant investigative efforts undertaken by federal authorities to identify and prosecute those involved. The widespread nature of the charges and the diverse geographic origins of the suspects demonstrate the nationwide scope of the criminal activities that occurred during the riot. The DOJ’s continued investigation into the Capitol breach signals a commitment to pursuing justice and upholding the rule of law in the aftermath of the unprecedented events that unfolded on January 6.
Moving forward, the prosecution of individuals like Joshua Lee Atwood for their alleged roles in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol serves as a critical step in holding perpetrators accountable and seeking justice for the law enforcement officers and others who were targeted during the siege. The legal proceedings against Atwood and others charged in connection to the riot will provide an opportunity to address the underlying issues surrounding the events of January 6 and to reinforce the principles of democracy, respect for the rule of law, and the peaceful transfer of power. As the investigation continues and additional suspects are identified and prosecuted, the justice system will play a crucial role in addressing the fallout from the Capitol breach and in safeguarding the integrity of American democracy.
