FBI Arrests MA Man Over Capitol Riot Violence

ATHOL, MA — The FBI arrested and charged a Massachusetts man on Friday over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, the seventh Bay State resident to be arrested after the incident.

Vincent J. Gillespie, 60, was arrested at his home in Athol. He took part in an assault on police officers outside the Capitol, shoving a riot shield into at least one officer, the FBI said in a news release.

"He struggled his way through the crowd, eventually maneuvering through the rioters to the line of police officers defending the Lower West Terrace’s exterior door," the news release said. "At one point, he gained control of a police shield as he approached the officers. Gillespie used the shield to ram the law enforcement officers, continuing to scream “traitor” and “treason” at the police. He also grabbed a law enforcement officer by the arm and attempted to pull him into the crowd."

Gillespie has been charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, civil disorder, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, and related offenses. He was set to appear at U.S. District Court in Washington on Friday.

About 750 people have been arrested and charged more than a year after the riot. The Massachusetts residents charged so far include Sue Ianni, formerly of Natick; Mark Sahady, of Malden; Noah Bacon, of Somerville; Chase Allen, of Seekonk; Brian McCreary, of Springfield; and Troy Sargent of Pittsfield. McCreary is the only one who has agreed to plead guilty to charges.