A Chicago man faces multiple charges linked to his alleged actions during the breach of U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Patrick Gorski, 27, is accused of felony obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder and several misdemeanors, including disorderly conduct and illegal entry into restricted areas of the Capitol. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the charges following Gorski's arrest by the FBI on Thursday.
On the day of the Capitol riot, Gorski was among the crowd that attended the "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington, D.C., and later advanced toward the Capitol building. His activities involved climbing a wall, entering inaugural scaffolding, and assisting other rioters. The documents allege Gorski was actively engaging with police officers, at points filming and verbally confronting them, while exclaiming "This is our house!" as the mob tried to force their way further into the Capitol, as per the U.S. Department of Justice release.
The events at the Capitol disrupted the joint session of the U.S. Congress meant for counting the electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election. More than 1,561 individuals have since been charged with crimes related to the Capitol breach, with over 590 of those accused of assaulting or impeding law enforcement—a felony. The DOJ regards the sprawling investigation, which spans almost all 50 states, as ongoing with Gorski's case recently adding to the tally.
Gorski made his initial appearance in the Northern District of Illinois after his arrest. The prosecutors have pieced together a timeline of Gorski's participation from rally to riot, using evidence including videos and photos of him at the scene. Allegations detail that despite being subdued with O.C. spray, Gorski persisted in attempting multiple entries into the Capitol and at one point blocked police efforts to secure an entryway. His defense against these charges was not immediately available.
The FBI's Chicago and Washington Field Offices are leading the investigation into Gorski's actions, supported by the Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department. The public has been asked to provide any relevant tips via a dedicated FBI hotline or their online tip system.
