Courtroom evacuated after Jan. 6 rioter attacks agents handcuffing him at trial

30 October 2023 , 18:18

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Vitali GossJankowski was removed from the courtroom today and taken to jail (Image: Metropolitan Police Department)

A physical altercation took place during a hearing today in the case of convicted Jan. 6 rioter Vitali GossJankowski. The defendant is convicted of multiple charges relating to the January 6 attacks on the Capitol which took place in 2021.

The attacks resulted in toppled tables and several federal agents subduing the defendant on the floor. GossJankowski was ordered to the courtroom by Judge Paul Friedman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, in relation to several recent doxxing threats targeting federal agents.

Several moments later, GossJankowski stood and fought with the agents who put him in handcuffs and took him straight into custody. GossJankowski easily toppled the officers as he is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and is considerably muscular. After toppling the officers he crashed into podium and tables closeby.

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Viitali Gossjankowski, faces more than one federal charge

Reporter Scott MacFarlane tweeted: "Marshals order courtroom cleared as GossJankowski is physically resisting agents who are trying to cuff him. He makes gutteral screams and fights off agents."

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Agents ran in from elsewhere in the courthouse to assist four US Marshalls and FBI staff to contain GossJankowski, who has a hearing disability. He was found guilty of multiple charges in his Jan 6 case earlier this year, including assaulting police.

Prosecutors told a judge to jail him straight away ahead of sentencing, because of a series of threatening Instagram posts in which GossJankowski tried to target and release private information about FBI employees. Before the altercation by GossJankowski, Friedman ruled the social media posts were "extremely troubling and dangerous."

Gossjankowski could face more than 10 years in prison if he is found guilty on all charges

In a similar vein to recent arguments over gag orders in former President Donald Trump's cases, the judge said it's rarely "people in public life themselves" who pose a threat to judges and agents, but rather "their followers."

Friedman said threatening posts are not protected by the First Amendment. He suggested that other federal judges in Washington have been targeted recently and needed round-the-clock security.

Eventually, GossJankowski was removed from the court and taken to the D.C. jail. His sentencing date isn't set yet.

Charlie Duffield