Photo via U.S. Department of Justice
February 2, 2021, 12:17 pm
A Capitol rioter previously known as “helmet boy” to the many people who watched video footage from that disturbing day has been identified as Zachary Alam and arrested after the FBI was tipped off by a family member.
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Alam can be seen in footage from inside the building in one of those fur-lined hats with the ear flaps before taking a black helmet and using it to smash the glass from the doors blocking their way to the inner chambers.
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The Philadelphia branch of the FBI announced Alam’s arrest in Denver, Pennsylvania on Monday, where he had been staying in a hotel. He faces charges of destruction of government property and assaulting a federal police officer with a weapon — both serious charges that could land Alam significant prison time.
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“The Subject Male was observed repeatedly punching the glass panels of the doors immediately behind the officers, causing the glass to splinter,” the criminal complaint reads. “While throwing two of the punches, the Subject Male pushed his body up against one of the Capitol Police officers guarding the door. Members of the crowd were shouting and gesticulating at the officers.”
Alam can also be heard repeatedly shouting “f— the blue,” with “the blue” referring to police, in the faces of the Capitol officers, which isn’t going to help his defense.
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The 29-year-old gained the nickname “helmet boy” because shortly after punching the glass on the doors, he can be seen taking a helmet to the same glass as lawmakers and staff on the other side are hurried away to a safer location.
“Shortly thereafter, he took a black-colored helmet from an individual with a yellow ‘Don’t tread on me’ flag, took off his fur-lined hat and red baseball hat, and violently struck the middle glass panel repeatedly with the helmet, further shattering the window.”
Very soon after that, Ashli Babbit was shot and killed by Capitol police for trying to climb through those windows.
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According to the complaint, the FBI received an anonymous tip from a “family member” revealing Alam’s name, phone number, email address, and “other identifying information.” It also notes that Alam told someone that he didn’t want to turn him in for an understandable reason, but he’s going to end up being pretty disappointed.
“ALAM told W-1 that he was sorry for what he had done at the U.S. Capitol but he was not going to turn himself into authorities because he did not want to go to jail again.”
*First Published: February 2, 2021, 12:17 pm
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