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Fla. FF under investigation for possible role in US Capitol mob

The firefighter was reportedly photographed among the mob inside the Capitol and was placed on leave during the probe

trump capitol siege

A group of demonstrators climb the west wall of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. A Sanford firefighter is under investigation for allegedly participating in the mob that breached security and stormed the Capitol building.

AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

Update: Andrew Williams, the Florida firefighter-paramedic photographed in Capitol, has been arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Grace Toohey
Orlando Sentinel

SANFORD, Fla. — The Sanford Fire Department opened an administrative investigation Thursday morning into a firefighter who was reportedly photographed among the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, according to agency spokeswoman Bianca Gillett.

“We are aware and the firefighter is employed with the Sanford Fire Department,” Gillett said in a statement Thursday morning.

Gillett identified the firefighter as Andy Williams, who has been with the agency since 2016. She said she did not initially know more about the nature of the investigation or if Williams was on leave during the probe.

On Wednesday afternoon, following an incendiary speech by President Donald Trump in Washington, a violent mob of pro-Trump extremists stormed the Capitol, overwhelming police, breaking in and marauding through halls and offices, determined to disrupt Congressional proceedings to confirm President-elect Joe Biden. One woman was shot and killed during a clash with Capitol Police.

The photo showed a man, who SFD officials identified as Williams, standing under what appears to be the entrance of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office in the Capitol. He’s wearing a Trump 2020 hat.

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(c)2021 The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.)

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