A Kentucky man faces multiple felony charges for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot, according to an indictment that was recently unsealed in the District of Columbia. Andrew Kyle Grigsby, a 29-year-old from Louisville, is accused of several serious offenses, including assaulting law enforcement with a dangerous weapon amid the violence that disrupted a Congressional joint session, which was in the process of confirming the 2020 presidential election results.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia states that Grigsby is charged with five felonies, these include civil disorder; assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers; and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with the use of a dangerous weapon. Beyond these, Grigsby faces two misdemeanors, one of which is disorderly conduct within the Capitol building.
Grigsby's indictment stems from events that unfolded almost four years ago when he allegedly used bear spray against officers during the Capitol breach. According to court documents, Grigsby forced his way past a police line on the Capitol grounds and used the chemical irritant, causing severe discomfort and disorientation among the law enforcement personnel positioned there.
The investigation into Grigsby's actions was carried out by the FBI's offices in Louisville and Washington, with assistance from the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department. Since the January 6 riots, over 1,583 individuals have been charged with related crimes, out of which more than 600 face charges of assaulting or impeding law enforcement. Grigsby was arraigned on January 10, 2025, and remains held in Washington, D.C.
It's important to note that an indictment is not a conviction, but merely an accusation. As it stands, Grigsby, along with any other defendant, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Department of Justice has encouraged anyone with information related to the breach to contact the FBI or to submit tips through their website.
