Trump Caused Capitol Police Officer's Death On Jan. 6, Lawsuit Claims

WASHINGTON, DC — The partner of Brian Sicknick, a police officer who died after responding to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is suing former President Donald Trump and two others, claiming their roles in the attack directly contributed to Sicknick's death.

Sandra Garza, who represents Sicknick's estate, filed the lawsuit in Federal District Court for the District of Columbia just before the second anniversary of the attack, The New York Times reported.

According to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by The Times, Garza is seeking $10 million in damages each from Trump as well as George Tanios and Julian Khater, two men who assaulted Sicknick on the day of the attack.

“As Officer Sicknick and hundreds of others... were put in mortal danger, and as the seat of American Democracy was desecrated by the insurgent mob, Defendant Trump watched the events unfold on live television from the safety of the White House," the complaint states. "The horrific events of January 6, 2021, including Officer Sicknick’s tragic, wrongful death, were a direct and foreseeable consequence of the Defendants’ unlawful actions."

At least nine people at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, died during or after the attack.

Sicknick, who lived in Springfield, Virginia, had several strokes in the hours after he battled the pro-Trump mob during the riot. He died of natural causes, according to a coroner.

Khater, 32, of Somerset, New Jersey, and Tanios, 39, of Morgantown, West Virginia, were charged with assault against a law enforcement officer. The FBI said the two men worked together to bear spray Sicknick and other officers during the riot.

Both men recently pleaded guilty to their roles in the attack. Their sentencings are scheduled to happen this year.

Sicknick's autopsy found no evidence that he had an allergic reaction to chemicals but medical examiner Francisco J. Diaz told The Washington Post that "all that transpired played a role in his condition."

The lawsuit also accused Trump, Khater and Tanios of conspiracy to violate civil rights, negligence and assault.

The civil suit is one of several related to the Jan. 6 attack where Trump has been named a defendant, according to CNN. Trump, however, has argued that his presidency makes him immune to liability.