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Who is Jeffrey McKellop? Former Special Forces soldier 'speared' cop in eye with flagpole during Capitol riots

McKellop was wearing a gas mask but the attire that he wore to the riots was the same helmet and ballistic vest worn by McKellop in an overseas combat zone in 2018

A man identified by witnesses as a longtime Army Special Forces soldier and a current military contractor has now been charged for assaulting four police officers on duty, at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, including spearing one in the face with a flagpole.

Jeffrey McKellop, who was arrested on Wednesday, March 17, was noticed in several social media footages and pictures as well as recordings from police-worn body cameras. He was present among the earliest waves of rioters who came to confront police at the Capitol that day. According to the FBI, he donned a gas mask as he approached the police line and tried to wrestle a canister of pepper spray from an officer who was using it for crowd control. Just before 2:30 pm. that day, he finally breached the police line and engaged in a scuffle with multiple officers.

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Who is Jeffrey McKellop?

 McKellop, a Fishersville resident from Virginia, donned a tactical gear and in some pictures of the Capitol riots, a gas mask, was identified by two witnesses, according to an FBI affidavit describing his case, including one who claimed to have served with McKellop from 2001 to 2016. Both witnesses indicated that McKellop has since become a contractor and at times works overseas. One of the witnesses also identified the helmet and ballistic vest McKellop was wearing as the same gear he wore overseas. Though dozens of former service members and police officers have been charged with crimes connected to the Capitol siege, McKellop appears to be the first Special Forces member accused of crimes connected to the breach. And his charges are among the gravest lodged among the 300-plus cases filed by federal prosecutors.

“During this confrontation, as MPD Officer 4 positions himself with the riot control spray aimed toward McKellop and the crowd, McKellop was seen picking up a flagpole from the ground and shoving it into the face of MPD Officer 4. McKellop then throws the flagpole, similar in fashion to throwing a spear, at MPD Officer 4. McKellop’s actions caused a laceration to MPD Officer 4’s face," according to the FBI case

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently told CBS’ “60 Minutes” that the growing number of Capitol cases featuring former members of the military has underscored the need to root out extremism among the ranks. “I think the numbers will probably be a bit larger than we would believe,” he said. “But I can tell you that a small number of people can have an outsized effect.” 

The affidavit stated that there was probable cause to believe that McKellop violated US Code Title 18, which is assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees and is a crime punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment when an individual uses a deadly or dangerous weapon or inflict bodily injury.