In a shocking turn of events, Edward Richmond Jr., a former U.S. Army soldier who had previously been convicted of manslaughter for the shooting of a handcuffed civilian in Iraq, has now been arrested for allegedly attacking police officers with a baton during the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.

According to an affidavit from an FBI agent, Richmond, now 40 years old and hailing from Geismar, Louisiana, was identified wearing protective gear including a helmet, shoulder pads, and goggles, with a Louisiana state flag patch on his chest, when he assaulted police in a tunnel outside the Capitol. The incident took place during the chaos that ensued as supporters of then-President Donald Trump attempted to breach the Capitol building.

Richmond was apprehended in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is set to appear in court on Tuesday to face several charges, including civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding police with a dangerous weapon. His attorney, John McLindon, stated that he had not yet seen the charging documents and therefore could not comment on the case at the moment.

It is worth noting that Richmond's previous conviction dates back to February 2004, when he was just 20 years old. At that time, an Army court-martial panel found him guilty of voluntary manslaughter for the killing of a handcuffed Iraqi civilian near Taal Al Jai. Richmond admitted to shooting Muhamad Husain Kadir, a cow herder, in the back of the head from a distance of approximately six feet. He claimed he was unaware that Kadir was handcuffed and believed the man posed a threat to a fellow soldier. As a result of his conviction, Richmond received a dishonorable discharge from the Army.

During the January 6 riot at the Capitol, body camera footage allegedly captured Richmond repeatedly assaulting police officers with a black baton in a tunnel on the Capitol's Lower West Terrace. This tunnel entrance became a significant point of contention as law enforcement struggled for hours to prevent the mob of Donald Trump supporters from breaching the Capitol.

The FBI was able to identify Richmond with the help of a witness who disclosed that he had traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of a "security team" accompanying the witness for planned rallies on January 6.

This latest arrest reinforces the ongoing investigation into the events of the U.S. Capitol riot, as authorities continue to hold accountable those who participated in the violence and destruction on that fateful day.