WASHINGTON D.C. (WAVY/WRIC) — So far, two Virginians from Mathews County have been arrested for their involvement in yesterday’s riot in D.C., according to the U.S. Capitol Police. Both are from the Hampton Roads area.
The two people arrested were Cindy Fitchett, 59, of Cobbs Creek and Douglas Sweet, 58, of Hudgins. They are both charged with unlawful entry.
USCP said yesterday, thousands of people — many wearing hats and carrying flags from the president’s campaign — stormed the United States Capitol Building and participated in “violent riotous actions,” including attacking Capitol Police officers and other uniformed law enforcement officers with metal pipes, discharged chemical irritants and other weapons.
Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick died after being injured during the attack.
Police said the “protesters” were forcing their way into the House Chamber, where members of Congress were sheltering in place, when a USCP employee shot his weapon and hit a woman. While the woman received medical assistance immediately and was transported to a hospital, USCP said she died of her injuries.
Neither Sweet nor Fitchett were immediately available for comment when contacted by 10 On Your Side.
However, Sweets mother, 89-year-old Nancy Sweet, said hearing about her son’s arrest was “tough” and “out of character.”
“He’s a good person, he loves his country,” Nancy Sweet said. “I just think he’s under the spell of Trump.”
The latest public post on Douglas Sweet’s Facebook page is about a Mathews County for Donald Trump Truck parade held back in October. Nancy Sweet said he had bought into conspiracy theories about the election.
“I didn’t think it was dangerous until now. I mean he winds up in jail,” Nancy Sweet said, adding that the the president just didn’t mislead her son, “He’s misled everybody.”
After initially telling those who were raiding the capitol Wednesday “we love you. You’re very special,” Thursday, there was no such love.
“Those who engage in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. To those that broke the law. You will pay,” Trump said in a pre-recorded and edited video address.