"Load your guns and take to the streets!" wrote Kevin Greeson, 55, of Athens, Alabama.
Benjamin Phillips, Rosanne Boyland and Kevin Greeson.via NBC News
Jan. 7, 2021
By Ben Kesslen
A computer programmer who founded a social media website for supporters of President Donald Trump and an Alabama man who posted online “Load your guns and take to the streets!” were among the four who died when a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Another victim was Ashli Babbitt, 35, who was fatally shot by Capitol Police during the Wednesday incursion by rioters who demanded Congress reject the presidential election results. An ardent Trump supporter, Babbitt followed and promoted many well-known radical conservative activists and conspiracy theories.
The others, Kevin Greeson, 55, of Athens, Alabama; Benjamin Philips, 50, of Ringtown, Pennsylvania; and Rosanne Boyland, 34, of Kennesaw, Georgia, died of medical emergencies, Washington, D.C., police said Thursday.
Greeson had a history of high blood pressure and suffered a heart attack, his family said, and is survived by his wife, Kristi, and children.
“Kevin was an advocate of President Trump and attended the event on January 6, 2020 to show his support,” the family said in a statement. “He was not there to participate in violence or rioting, nor did he condone such actions.”
Greeson appeared to be active on Parler, the “Twitter for conservatives,” where an account with his name and picture lodged threats against Democrat and Republican politicians who Greeson said did not sufficiently support Trump.
Responding to a post that floated the “militia option” to keep Trump in office, Greeson wrote, “I’m in.. call me I have guns and ammo!” He interacted with posts from the far-right Proud Boys, telling them to give Antifa “hell.”
Greeson also said he hoped House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would get Covid-19 and die, and on Dec. 17 wrote, “Let’s take this f------ Country BACK!! Load your guns and take to the streets!”
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Kristi Greeson would not confirm whether the account belonged to her husband, but photos he posted on Parler are images of the same person found on his Facebook and Twitter accounts, which were verified by NBC News.
Philips, 50, died of a stroke, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported, but NBC News was unable to verify his cause of death. The computer programmer founded a social media site for Trump supporters, Trumparoo.com, the Inquirer reported. The site coordinated rides to Washington for people who wanted to attend the protest.
“As my children are grieving and processing yesterday’s shocking events, I respectfully request privacy,” Nicole Mun, Philip’s ex-wife, said Thursday in a statement.
Mun said she no longer had a relationship with Philip and had nothing further to say. Other family members did not return repeated requests for comment.
Boyland also died because of a medical emergency, authorities said, providing no further details First responders performed CPR on her around 5 p.m. Wednesday after she collapsed, reported NBC Atlanta affiliate WXIA. Her family did not return phone calls and emails seeking more information.
Jan. 7, 2021
By Ben Kesslen
A computer programmer who founded a social media website for supporters of President Donald Trump and an Alabama man who posted online “Load your guns and take to the streets!” were among the four who died when a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Another victim was Ashli Babbitt, 35, who was fatally shot by Capitol Police during the Wednesday incursion by rioters who demanded Congress reject the presidential election results. An ardent Trump supporter, Babbitt followed and promoted many well-known radical conservative activists and conspiracy theories.
The others, Kevin Greeson, 55, of Athens, Alabama; Benjamin Philips, 50, of Ringtown, Pennsylvania; and Rosanne Boyland, 34, of Kennesaw, Georgia, died of medical emergencies, Washington, D.C., police said Thursday.
Greeson had a history of high blood pressure and suffered a heart attack, his family said, and is survived by his wife, Kristi, and children.
“Kevin was an advocate of President Trump and attended the event on January 6, 2020 to show his support,” the family said in a statement. “He was not there to participate in violence or rioting, nor did he condone such actions.”
Greeson appeared to be active on Parler, the “Twitter for conservatives,” where an account with his name and picture lodged threats against Democrat and Republican politicians who Greeson said did not sufficiently support Trump.
Responding to a post that floated the “militia option” to keep Trump in office, Greeson wrote, “I’m in.. call me I have guns and ammo!” He interacted with posts from the far-right Proud Boys, telling them to give Antifa “hell.”
Greeson also said he hoped House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would get Covid-19 and die, and on Dec. 17 wrote, “Let’s take this f------ Country BACK!! Load your guns and take to the streets!”
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Kristi Greeson would not confirm whether the account belonged to her husband, but photos he posted on Parler are images of the same person found on his Facebook and Twitter accounts, which were verified by NBC News.
Philips, 50, died of a stroke, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported, but NBC News was unable to verify his cause of death. The computer programmer founded a social media site for Trump supporters, Trumparoo.com, the Inquirer reported. The site coordinated rides to Washington for people who wanted to attend the protest.
“As my children are grieving and processing yesterday’s shocking events, I respectfully request privacy,” Nicole Mun, Philip’s ex-wife, said Thursday in a statement.
Mun said she no longer had a relationship with Philip and had nothing further to say. Other family members did not return repeated requests for comment.
Boyland also died because of a medical emergency, authorities said, providing no further details First responders performed CPR on her around 5 p.m. Wednesday after she collapsed, reported NBC Atlanta affiliate WXIA. Her family did not return phone calls and emails seeking more information.
Ashli Babbit: the woman shot at US Capitol building, was she a Trump supporter - and what she said on Twitter
Three other Trump supporting rioters died of ‘medical emergencies’ as chaos engulfed the US Capitol building
By Alex Nelson
Thursday, 7th January 2021,
The US Capitol building in Washington DC was overwhelmed by mobs of President Trump supporters as Congress met on Wednesday (6 January) to certify Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential win.
One woman was shot dead by police and three others died of "medical emergencies", as rioters clashed with police and tear gas was dispersed as demonstrators strong-armed their way into the building – both chambers of Congress were forced into an abrupt recess.
The violence came after a rally held near the White House at which Mr Trump encouraged supporters to march on Capitol Hill in protest against Congress' approval of Mr Biden's victory in the November election.
Three other Trump supporting rioters died of ‘medical emergencies’ as chaos engulfed the US Capitol building
By Alex Nelson
Thursday, 7th January 2021,
The US Capitol building in Washington DC was overwhelmed by mobs of President Trump supporters as Congress met on Wednesday (6 January) to certify Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential win.
One woman was shot dead by police and three others died of "medical emergencies", as rioters clashed with police and tear gas was dispersed as demonstrators strong-armed their way into the building – both chambers of Congress were forced into an abrupt recess.
The violence came after a rally held near the White House at which Mr Trump encouraged supporters to march on Capitol Hill in protest against Congress' approval of Mr Biden's victory in the November election.
US Capitol Police detain protesters outside of the House Chamber (Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Read MoreUS Capitol siege: Four people dead after pro-Donald Trump supporters storm the C...
Here is everything you need to know.
What happened?
Read MoreUS Capitol siege: Four people dead after pro-Donald Trump supporters storm the C...
Here is everything you need to know.
What happened?
On 6 January, President Donald Trump addressed supporters at a rally near the White House, promising to “never concede” that he had lost as Congress met to certify Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential win.Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they try to storm the US Capitol Building in Washington DC on 6 January 2021 (Photo: JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)
Following the rally, Trump supporters breached barricades and fought past police to storm into the US Capitol building, forcing Congress to halt the voter certification process.
Federal agents were sent to the Capitol, with officers from the Federal Protective Service and US Secret Service also on hand to assist US Capitol Police.
The White House said National Guard troops had headed to the Capitol, as law enforcement officials said at least one explosive device was found near the scene, confirming it was “no longer a threat”.
Addressing the nation, Mr Biden said that democracy was “under an unprecedented assault”, and demanded that President Trump make a televised address calling on his supporters to cease the violence.
In a video posted on Twitter, President Trump asked his supporters to “go home”, claiming the results of the election were fraudulent and he feels their “pain”.
The tweet was later removed, and both Twitter and Facebook have temporarily locked Trump’s accounts.
What's the scene now?
After nearly four-hours, heavily-armed police ended the violent occupation as officials declared the Capitol complex “secure”.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Congress would resume the Electoral College proceedings when it was safe; Congress has since reconvened, and has certified Joe Biden's election win.
Donald Trump has also released a statement promising an orderly transition of power, though he still refuses to concede the election, continuing his unsubstantiated claims that the process was “stolen” from him.
Who was Ashli Babbit?
The woman who was shot and killed during skirmish has been identified as Ashli Babbit, according to local news reports.
Fox 5 DC first identified Babbit, and said the 14-year US Air Force veteran from San Diego was struck by a bullet after she entered the Capitol building’s legislative complex with rioters.
She was later pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
Robert Contee, Washington DC’s Chief of Police, later confirmed that a woman was shot by a Capitol police officer, and an internal investigation is now underway.
“I really don’t know why she decided to do this,” her mother-in-law told Fox 5, as Babbit’s husband – who did not travel with his wife to DC – called her “a patriot and strong supporter of Donald Trump.”
Just hours before the violence, Babbit tweeted: “Nothing will stop us… they can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours… dark to light!”
Federal agents were sent to the Capitol, with officers from the Federal Protective Service and US Secret Service also on hand to assist US Capitol Police.
The White House said National Guard troops had headed to the Capitol, as law enforcement officials said at least one explosive device was found near the scene, confirming it was “no longer a threat”.
Addressing the nation, Mr Biden said that democracy was “under an unprecedented assault”, and demanded that President Trump make a televised address calling on his supporters to cease the violence.
In a video posted on Twitter, President Trump asked his supporters to “go home”, claiming the results of the election were fraudulent and he feels their “pain”.
The tweet was later removed, and both Twitter and Facebook have temporarily locked Trump’s accounts.
What's the scene now?
After nearly four-hours, heavily-armed police ended the violent occupation as officials declared the Capitol complex “secure”.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Congress would resume the Electoral College proceedings when it was safe; Congress has since reconvened, and has certified Joe Biden's election win.
Donald Trump has also released a statement promising an orderly transition of power, though he still refuses to concede the election, continuing his unsubstantiated claims that the process was “stolen” from him.
Who was Ashli Babbit?
The woman who was shot and killed during skirmish has been identified as Ashli Babbit, according to local news reports.
Fox 5 DC first identified Babbit, and said the 14-year US Air Force veteran from San Diego was struck by a bullet after she entered the Capitol building’s legislative complex with rioters.
She was later pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
Robert Contee, Washington DC’s Chief of Police, later confirmed that a woman was shot by a Capitol police officer, and an internal investigation is now underway.
“I really don’t know why she decided to do this,” her mother-in-law told Fox 5, as Babbit’s husband – who did not travel with his wife to DC – called her “a patriot and strong supporter of Donald Trump.”
Just hours before the violence, Babbit tweeted: “Nothing will stop us… they can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours… dark to light!”
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