09/12/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/12/2024 13:14
WASHINGTON - Two men from Pennsylvania and New Jersey were arrested today for alleged violent conduct, including assault and robbery, committed during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Their alleged actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
Philip Walker, 52, of Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania, and David Walker, 49, of Delran, New Jersey, are both charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony offenses of federal robbery, assault with the intent to commit a felony, and destruction of property.
In addition to the felonies, the Walkers are both charged with seven misdemeanor offenses, including assault by striking, beating, and wounding, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, act of violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
The FBI arrested the Walkers today at their residences. The two men will make their initial appearance in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and in New Jersey. The two men are brothers.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Philip Walker left his residence in the early morning hours and was present in the Washington, D.C. area near the U.S. Capitol building. Video footage from that day depicts an individual resembling Walker wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, a jacket with a distinctive horizontal quilted pattern, dark pants, and shoes with a distinctive colored toe. He was also carrying a dark-colored backpack. Surveillance footage captured Walker entering the U.S. Capitol Rotunda at approximately 2:40 p.m., at which time he was wearing a blue and white surgical mask.
Court documents state that Philip's brother, David Walker, was also present at the Capitol that day and was seen wearing a dark hooded jacket, khaki pants with a knife clipped to his pocket, and boots with a distinct dark toe. Both Philip and David Walker were identified in multiple images from Jan. 6, 2021, including one that shows the brothers together.
At approximately 2:41 p.m., it is alleged that Philip and David Walker were involved in an assault on a person, identified as Victim 1, at the top of the East Rotunda stairs. Video footage shows Philip Walker allegedly carrying what appeared to be Victim 1's photographic equipment after the initial assault. When Victim 1 attempted to retrieve their equipment, it is alleged that David Walker pushed the victim again as the brothers fled down the stairs.
Shortly after the assault, both Philip and David Walker exited the Capitol building through the Rotunda lobby at approximately 2:43 p.m. David Walker was seen engaging in another physical confrontation with Victim 1 near the East Rotunda Doors before exiting the building.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney's Offices for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the District of New Jersey.
The case is being investigated by the FBI's Philadelphia and Washington Field Offices. Phillip Walker was identified as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #174 and David Walker was identified as BOLO 175. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 44 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,504 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 560 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.