[NBC] A fourth law enforcement officer who defended the U.S. Capitol against the mob attack on Jan. 6 has died by suicide.
Officer Gunther Hashida was found dead in his home on Thursday, the Metropolitan Police Department confirmed. He served as an officer for more than 18 years, joining the department in 2003. Hashida was 43.
“We are grieving as a Department as our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Hashida’s family and friends,” an MPD spokesperson said in a statement.
Hours after that announcement, News4 confirmed 26-year-old Officer Kyle deFreytag died by suicide July 10. He also responded to defend the Capitol from rioters in January.
Hashida responded to the Capitol as rioters loyal to then-President Donald Trump stormed the building. He was assigned to the Special Operations Division’s emergency response team.
U.S. Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood died by suicide in the days after the insurrection. D.C. Officer Jeffrey Smith died by suicide later that month. |