Daniel Ball, a 38-year-old Florida man, has been charged with multiple offenses, including throwing an explosive device at officers during the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. Ball was identified by his probation officer after being arrested last week for assaulting seven people, including two law enforcement officers, in unrelated charges in Florida. According to court documents, Ball entered the Capitol without lawful authority, threw a piece of shutter, and assaulted several officers before throwing an explosive device at a lower west terrace tunnel, where officers were attempting to defend the Capitol. The explosion caused hearing impairment for at least 25 officers and damaged surrounding property. Ball faces charges for assaulting police officers, engaging in physical violence, and entering a restricted area with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
The FBI explosives examiner was unable to determine the size and charge of the explosive device or whether it was homemade or commercially manufactured. Investigators believe the device was capable of causing serious injury and property damage. Ball was identified in 14 videos from the Capitol building and was wearing the same jacket recognizable to his probation officer during visits. Ball’s criminal history includes an unrelated crime for which he was serving five years probation. Reports indicate that Ball was one of over 1,000 people arrested for crimes related to the Capitol breach since January 6.
More than 320 people have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, and over 500 defendants have been charged for their alleged role in the Capitol attack. The attack left five people dead and occurred as a mob of supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in an effort to stop Congress from certifying election results for Joe Biden. The FBI continues to investigate and make arrests related to the Capitol breach.
The Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol was a shocking and unprecedented event in American history, and the arrest of Daniel Ball is yet another example of the ongoing investigation into the violent breach. The charges against Ball illustrate the seriousness of the violent acts committed during the attack and their consequences. The FBI’s ongoing efforts to identify and arrest those involved in the Capitol breach demonstrate the agency’s commitment to ensuring accountability for this heinous crime against democracy.
