The U.S. Capitol Police says an officer who was injured after responding to riots at the Capitol has died, and, according to reports, prosecutors are planning to open a federal murder investigation.

What You Need To Know

  • Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who was injured in the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, has died, Capitol Police said

  • During the melee, Sicknick was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher, two law enforcement officials said

  • CNN reports that prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's office will be opening a federal murder investigation into Officer Sicknick's death

  • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered flags at the U.S. Capitol lowered to half-staff due to Officer Sicknick's death

The U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement that Officer Brian D. Sicknick was injured “while physically engaging with protesters” during the Wednesday riot. He is the fifth person to die because of the violence.

Supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol on Wednesday as Congress was tallying the Electoral College votes to confirm Democrat Joe Biden won the election. Sicknick returned to his division office and collapsed, the report said. He was taken to a hospital and later died.

During the melee, Sicknick was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher, two law enforcement officials said. The officials could not discuss the ongoing investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The death will be investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch, the USCP, and federal law enforcement. 

"The entire USCP Department expresses its deepest sympathies to Officer Sicknick's family and friends on their loss, and mourns the loss of a friend and colleague," Capitol Police said.

CNN reports that prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's office will be opening a federal murder investigation into Officer Sicknick's death, citing a law enforcement official. 

Democratic leaders of the House Appropriations Committee said the “tragic loss” of a Capitol police officer “should remind all of us of the bravery of the law enforcement officers who protected us, our colleagues, Congressional staff, the press corps and other essential workers″ during the hourslong takeover of the Capitol by pro-Trump protesters.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered flags at the U.S. Capitol lowered to half-staff due to Officer Sicknick's death, according to Pelosi's Deputy Chief of Staff Drew Hammill.

"On behalf of the House of Representatives, I send our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Officer Brian Sicknick, who died defending the Capitol complex and protecting those who serve and work here," Speaker Pelosi said in a statement.

"The perpetrators of Officer Sicknick’s death must be brought to justice. The violent and deadly act of insurrection targeting the Capitol, our temple of American Democracy, and its workers was a profound tragedy and stain on our nation’s history," she continued. "But because of the heroism of our first responders and the determination of the Congress, we were not, and we will never be, diverted from our duty to the Constitution and the American people."

Sicknick joined the Capitol police in 2008.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.