Ringtown Man Identified Among 4 Dead During Capitol Protests

Police in Washington DC reported this morning that a Ringtown man died Wednesday during the protests of the 2020 Election at the US Capitol.

Acting Metropolitan Police Chief Robert J. Contee III said that 50-year-old Benjamin Phillips, of Ringtown, died from a suspected “medical emergency” at some time Wednesday.

Two others died of suspected “medical emergencies” during the protest at the US Capitol on Wednesday. They were identified as a 55-year-old Alabama man and a 34-year-old woman from Georgia.

Police shot and killed another protester on Wednesday, identified as Ashlee Babbitt, of San Diego, California.

Ringtown Man Dies During US Capitol Protest

It’s unclear how Phillips died during the protest.

As a Joint Session of Congress was being dissolved into separate chambers to debate an objection to the certification of electors from the state of Arizona, protesters stormed the US Capitol building and attempted to make their way into the House of Representatives chamber.

During that conflict, police shot and killed Babbitt.

It’s not known where Phillips was during that time or the nature of his death. Although a small group of protesters actually made their way inside the Capitol, many more were seen standing on the temporary Inauguration stage set up outside. To disperse that crowd, police deployed flash bang grenades and tear gas.

Contee said during a press conference Thursday morning that an investigation into the incidents the previous day would continue.

Here is video of the press conference Thursday where Phillips’ death was announced:

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