Pittsburgh-Area Man Charged In Capitol Riot Incident

PITTSBURGH, PA — A Pittsburgh-area man is the third western Pennsylvania resident to be charged with participating in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol that left five people dead.

Kenneth Grayson of Bridgeville is charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct which impedes the conduct of a government business; disruptive conduct in the Capitol buildings; parading demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol buildings and obstructing or impeding any official proceeding.

Grayson made an initial appearance Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh.

According to the criminal complaint, the FBI received three separate tips regarding Grayson that contained images of him inside the Capitol standing in front of a statue and security camera in the Crypt, a chamber located beneath the Captiol rotunda. He appeared to be wearing a black Pittsburgh Pirates cap in the images.

The FBI also reviewed Facebook private messages Grayson received from family members and associates the day of the riot. Those included in the criminal complaint:

• 3:06 p.m.: “Kenny get to hell out of there. It's a federal offence (sic) to be in there.”

• 3:18 p.m: “Did you hear shots fired in there? That is what the news is claiming.”

• 3:50 p.m.: "Kenny, they're in the Senate chamber. Can you get in anywhere? TAKE PHOTOS! TAKE DOCUMENTS!"

• 5:55 p.m.: "Bro, they took your live videos down. Nice work today."

• 6:34 p.m.: "Did I just see you climbing the walls at the Capitol lol."

Two other western Pennsylvania residents were charged last week with participating in the riot: Jordan Mink, of Oakdale, Allegheny County and Matthew Perna, of Sharon, Mercer County.