A violent altercation broke out between a convicted Capitol rioter and federal agents during a court appearance, resulting in US marshals clearing the courtroom and ensuring the safety of the judge. The incident occurred on Monday and was witnessed by reporters present in the courtroom.
The rioter, identified as 34-year-old Vitali GossJankowski, had been convicted of multiple felonies in connection to his involvement in the deadly attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. However, federal officials recently requested that GossJankowski’s release be revoked and he be placed in jail while awaiting sentencing. They accused him of sending threatening messages to a law enforcement officer who testified against him.
US District Judge Paul Friedman scheduled a hearing on the matter for Monday and ordered GossJankowski to be taken into custody. However, chaos ensued when GossJankowski refused to surrender and resisted the efforts of federal agents to handcuff him, as reported by CBS News’ Scott MacFarlane.
MacFarlane, who was present at the scene, tweeted, “Judge has ordered Jan 6 defendant Vitali GossJankowski jailed immediately. And GossJankowski begins resisting federal agents. Table is nearly toppled. He’s resisting several agents.” GossJankowski made guttural screams and continued to fight off the agents, leading US marshals to swiftly clear the courtroom.
During the scuffle, a computer fell off the defense table, and additional agents from the courthouse rushed into Judge Friedman’s courtroom to assist in subduing GossJankowski, who displayed immense strength. The judge had already left the premises for his own safety.
MacFarlane noted that it took seven or eight agents to finally detain GossJankowski. Jordan Fischer from WUSA also reported on the incident, stating that “more than half a dozen U.S. Marshals, FBI agents, and CSOs just had to forcibly arrest” GossJankowski.
A courtroom deputy confirmed the disturbance during GossJankowski’s hearing, but no further details were provided. GossJankowski’s lawyer has yet to respond to requests for comment.
