Note: A full copy of the indictment can be viewed here.

April 9, 2021 - WASHINGTON — A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment Wednesday charging a Florida man with assaulting a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer using his skateboard.

Grady Douglas Owens, 21, of Winter Park, Florida, was arrested pursuant to a complaint on April 1 in the Middle District of Florida and made his initial appearance in court the same afternoon. The indictment now charges Owens with assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees; knowingly entering or remaining on restricted grounds without lawful authority; obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

According to court documents, an MPD officer responded to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and while there was struck in the head with a skateboard by an unknown subject, later identified as Owens. As alleged, Owens appears in body worn camera (BWC) footage that shows him using the skateboard to assault the officer, causing a concussion and finger injury.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, who listed Owens as #109 on their seeking information photos, as well as the Metropolitan Police Department. Significant assistance in this matter was provided by the FBI’s Tampa Field Office. 

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Source: DOJ