Rioters broke into the US Capitol by at least 8 separate points, more than previously known, NYT investigation finds
- Capitol rioters entered the building at points previously unknown, a new investigation found.
- They used at least eight different places, concluded a six-month project by The New York Times.
- In some places, the police barely challenged the crowds.
Rioters broke into the Capitol in at least eight different places during the January 6 riot, an investigation by The New York Times found.
The six-month investigation - which analyzed video, including police bodycam footage - found points of entry used by rioters that were not previously known about.
These included windows and doors that were scarcely guarded by police. This is what the Times said about those entrances:
- Rioters smashed through two windows and a door in one place.
- Beside it, a rioter with a crowbar smashed a second door and opened it "to hundreds of people."
- Other rioters smashed a window next to the inauguration door and climbed inside.
- Rioters also used another entrance, where police are seen "stand aside and allow rioters to stream in, unchallenged," according to the Times.
- Police in riot gear were seen to "yield and let the crowd in" on the north side of the Capitol building.
- There were another three breaches are on the east side of the Capitol, "two by the central doors into the Rotunda, and this southeast door leading into the House Chamber."
The January 6 riot took place after Trump addressed his supporters, repeating his baseless claim that he actually won the election.
Rioters stormed Congress as lawmakers voted to certify President Joe Biden's election win.
Five people died, including a Capitol Police officer.
Lawmakers had to be evacuated from the chambers. They later resumed the process of certifying votes.
Video footage obtained by the Times' shows many rioters celebrating when they forced Congress to pause, saying they had achieved what they wanted.