Princeton University Student Charged In Connection With Capitol Riot

PRINCETON, NJ — A Princeton University student was arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, the Department of Justice said Tuesday.

Larry Fife Giberson, 21, of Manahawkin, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with civil disorder, a felony, and related misdemeanor offenses. He was taken into custody on Tuesday.

According to court documents, Giberson was among the Jan. 6 rioters who engaged in violence against law enforcement officers guarding the Capitol in the Lower West Terrace “tunnel” entrance.

Giberson entered the tunnel around 3:10 p.m., and made his way towards the front of the pack of rioters, the court document said. He joined rioters as they attempted to force their way into the building by coordinating “heave-ho” pushing efforts against the police line.

While Giberson was at the front of the pack of rioters pushing against officers with other rioters, one officer was crushed between a door and a shield held by a rioter, court documents said.

A few minutes later, Giberson rushed to the tunnel entryway and began waving more rioters into the tunnel, officials said. He then returned to the tunnel to participate in a second round of coordinated pushing against the police line. Eventually, police officers were able to gain temporary control over the tunnel and push rioters, including Giberson, out.

Rioters continually battled to regain access to the Capitol through the tunnel. Giberson stood nearby as rioters dragged one officer into the crowd, and he watched as rioters assaulted and brutally injured the officer, officials said.

As rioters dragged one officer out of the tunnel and violently assaulted that officer, Giberson started yelling “DRAG THEM OUT!” and cheered as weapons and pepper spray were used against police officers in the tunnel, according to court documents.

The FBI interviewed Giberson at the Princeton Police Department, who confirmed that he was the person seen in several photographs and videos from Jan. 6.