The third police officer who responded to the storming of the Capitol on January 6 committed suicide, the Metropolitan DC Police Department confirmed Monday.
Gunther Hashida was found dead at his home on Thursday, the department said in a statement sent out to by email.
An MPD spokesman confirmed to The Hill that Hashida committed suicide.
“The Department is mourning, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Hashida,” the statement said. .
According to the department, Hashida was assigned to the emergency response team in the special operations department.
New: 3rd officer who responded to Jan 6 attack dies by suicide: “Officer Gunther Hashida, assigned to the Emergency Response Team within the Special Operations Div., Was found decea sed in his residence on Thursday, July 29, & # 34; Met Police spokesperson told CNN's @WhitneyWReports pic.twitter.com/KYhg8yRTAa
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) August 2, 2021
He became the third police officer who defended the Capitol on January 6, who died by suicide.
US Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood and Police Officer Jeffrey Smith also committed suicide following the January incident.
Hashida committed suicide two days after the special committee investigating the January 6 attack held its first hearing in which four police officers testified about the horrific events of January 6.
“For most people, January 6 lasted several hours, but for for those of us who were at the epicenter of events, it was not over. This day continues to be a permanent trauma for us, ”said US Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell.
