Partner Of NJ’s Brian Sicknick Sues Trump, 2 Rioters For Wrongful Death

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — The estate of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, has filed a lawsuit accusing former President Donald Trump and two others of being responsible for his death.

The two other people named in the lawsuit are Julian Elie Khater and George Pierre Tanios, who recently pleaded guilty to their role in the Jan. 6 attacks.

The civil lawsuit filed Thursday in Washington D.C.’s federal court, argues that Sicknick’s death was a “direct and foreseeable consequence” of their roles in the mob violence.

A resident of NJ-12, Sicknick grew up in South River and attended the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School - East Brunswick campus.

Julian Elie Khater, 32, of State College, Pa. and George Pierre Tanios, 39, of Morgantown, W.V. were charged with assault against a law enforcement officer. The FBI says the two men worked together to bear spray Sicknick and other officers during the riot. More: Bear Spray Assault On Fallen Jan. 6 Officer Ends In NJ Man's Plea

Khater pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting resisting or impeding officers with a dangerous weapon. Tanios pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges.

“As Officer Sicknick and hundreds of others including other police officers, elected officials, and rank-and-file workers at the U.S. Capitol 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. Those with knowledge claimed that during this moment of national horror, Defendant Trump was delighted and was confused about why other people on his team weren't as excited as he was,” the lawsuit said.

“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,” the lawsuit said.

The suit is seeking over $10 million in damages.

Sicknick’s longtime partner, Sandra Garza, filed the suit on behalf of his estate.

The lawsuit notes that during this speech before the attack on Jan. 6, Trump asked his supporters to “fight like hell,” “walk down Pennsylvania Avenue,” and “show strength.”

In a statement to the New York Times, Trump’s spokesperson dismissed the lawsuit as a frivolous attack.

Sicknick had several strokes hours after he battled the pro-Trump mob during the riot and died of natural causes, according to The New York Times.

The autopsy also found no evidence that Sicknick had an allergic reaction to chemicals but the medical examiner, Francisco J. Diaz, told The Washington Post: “All that transpired played a role in his condition.”

Sicknick died from acute brainstem and "cerebellar infarcts" due to basilar artery thrombosis, according to The New York Times, otherwise known as strokes.

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