Participants in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot File Lawsuit Against DC Police

Dozens of rioters allege police actions caused physical and emotional injuries

Mar. 30, 2026 at 6:20pm

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A vibrant, abstract painting featuring overlapping, fractured geometric shapes in shades of red, orange, and gray, conveying a sense of chaos and conflict in a political setting.The lawsuit alleges police used excessive force against a peaceful crowd of protesters at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.Ocala Today

Dozens of people who participated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, have filed a federal class action lawsuit in Florida against the U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police. The plaintiffs, including several Florida residents, allege that police actions that day caused them physical and emotional injuries, and they are seeking over $18 million in damages.

Why it matters

This lawsuit represents an ongoing legal fallout from the Jan. 6 attack, as some rioters seek to hold law enforcement accountable for their actions that day. It also highlights the political divisions surrounding the events of Jan. 6, with President Trump having previously pardoned and commuted sentences for some individuals convicted of offenses related to the Capitol breach.

The details

The lawsuit was filed in the Ocala division of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on Friday. It alleges that police 'indiscriminately launched explosive munitions, chemical agents, and impact projectiles into a peaceful crowd and physically assaulted members of the crowd' at the Capitol. The lead plaintiffs are Patrick and Marie Sullivan of Citrus County, and Alan E. Fischer III of Tampa, all of whom claim they suffered injuries from police actions. Other plaintiffs include Dominic Pezzola, Craig Bingert, and Christopher Worrell, all of whom have been convicted of crimes related to the Jan. 6 events.

  • The lawsuit was filed on March 30, 2026.
  • On January 20, 2025, former President Trump offered pardons and commuted sentences for approximately 1,500 individuals convicted of offenses related to the Capitol attack.

The players

Patrick and Marie Sullivan

Citrus County residents who were on the west terrace of the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021 and claim they suffered injuries from pepper spray exposure.

Alan E. Fischer III

A Tampa resident who was on the west side of the Capitol building and claims he was struck in the face and injured with a pepper ball, and later exposed to pepper spray.

Dominic Pezzola

A New York resident who was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 36 months of supervised release after being convicted of multiple felonies related to the Jan. 6 attack. His sentence was later commuted by President Trump.

Craig Bingert

An Allentown, Pennsylvania resident who was sentenced to 96 months in prison for grabbing a metal bike rack that police were using as a barricade and pushing it hard against officers, resulting in injury to at least one officer.

Christopher Worrell

A Naples, Florida resident who was sentenced to 120 months in prison on multiple felony counts that included assaulting a group of police officers with a deadly and dangerous weapon. He cut off his GPS ankle monitor and became a fugitive before being detained.

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What’s next

The lawsuit is currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

The takeaway

This lawsuit represents an ongoing legal battle over the events of January 6th, 2021, with some rioters seeking to hold law enforcement accountable for their actions that day. It also highlights the continued political divisions surrounding the Capitol attack, as evidenced by former President Trump's pardons and sentence commutations for some individuals convicted of related offenses.