Texas Man Allegedly Threatened to Shoot His Kids If They Turned Him in for Attending Capitol Riot
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A Texas man allegedly boasted to his family about attending the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol and then threatened to shoot his children if they turned him in, authorities say.
According to an arrest affidavit filed in court Monday, the FBI identified and tracked down 48-year-old Guy Reffitt based on news footage from the scene of rioters incited by President Donald Trump storming the Capitol. In one Reuters clip, authorities say he can be seen flushing out his eyes with a bottle of water while sitting outside the building wearing tactical-style gear.
The FBI executed a search warrant on Saturday, Jan. 16, and Reffitt was arrested on a charge of obstruction of justice.
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According to the affidavit, Reffitt's adult son told authorities that Reffitt went to Washington, D.C., that day thinking he would "protect the country." The son alleged Reffitt became aware that authorities were searching for him and that he needed to "erase everything." The son also alleged Reffitt allegedly threatened his minor daughter against reporting him or posting on social media, the affidavit states.
"Reffitt stated to daughter that if daughter were recording Reffitt or put this (meaning Reffitt's comments) anywhere on social media, then daughter will have crossed the line, betrayed the family, and Reffitt was going to 'put a bullet through' daughter's phone," the affidavit states.
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According to the affidavit, Reffitt's spouse also told authorities that Reffitt told his son and daughter, "If you turn me in, you're a traitor and you know what happens to traitors … traitors get shot."
"Spouse did not believe Reffitt would act on his words and, according to spouse, neither spouse nor son or daughter felt threatened, but rather 'disturbed' by Reffitt's 'extreme' statements," the affidavit states.
It was not immediately clear if Reffitt has entered a plea or retained an attorney to comment on his behalf. The affidavit said Reffitt told authorities he was in D.C. on Jan. 6 but did not go inside the Capitol building.
Amid increased scrutiny since the deadly riots, several Capitol Police officers have been suspended for their behavior during the events, according to a Jan. 11 statement from acting U.S. Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman.
Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund additionally submitted his letter of resignation just one day after the riots, informing members of the Capitol Police Board at the time that his resignation would go into effect on Jan. 16.
