ToplineThe D.C. Metropolitan Police Department announced Monday that a third officer of the police who responded to the January riot at U.S. Capitol Building committed suicide.Flags are flown near the U.S. Capitol after the perimeter was broken by pro-Trump protesters in Washington, DC [+] on January 6. The Washington Post via Getty ImagesThe Key FactsGunther Hashida, Metropolitan Police officer, was found dead at his home on Thursday. This happened nearly seven months after he had helped to respond to the attack against the Capitol. Brianna Burch, a police spokesperson, confirmed this to Forbes. Burch confirmed that suicide was the cause of death. Burch stated that Hashida, an 18-year veteran from D.C.'s local police force, belonged to the emergency response team. CNN first reported Hashida's death.Important QuoteMPD released a statement saying that we are in mourning as a Department and that our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Hashida's family and friends.Important BackgroundHashida is the at least fourth officer to be killed in the Capitol riots. Howard Liebengood, U.S. Capitol Police Officer, committed suicide three days following the attack on Jan. 6. Jeffrey Smith, MPD Officer, also committed suicide later that month. According to D.C.'s medical examiner, Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick died from natural causes one day after the riots.TangentAccording to both the D.C. and Capitol Police departments, more than 100 officers sustained injuries during the riot. According to the Department of Justice, federal prosecutors have indicted over 160 rioters for assaulting and impeding police officers.Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273–TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741-741 if you think about suicide.
