WYLIE, Texas – According to a document released by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Monday, a Wylie, Texas, man who participated in the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol threatened to shoot his own children if they notified authorities.
Guy Reffitt, 48, is accused of obstruction of justice and unlawful entry.
According to court documents, video captured by Reuters and Fox News shows Reffitt outside the Capitol on January 6. He is shown wearing a blue jacket over what appears to be a tactical vest and a black helmet with what appears to be a Go-Pro-style camera attached to it.
Video additionally shows Reffitt using a water bottle to flush out his eyes after being exposed to a chemical irritant.
While it’s not alleged that Reffitt was inside the Capitol during the violent event, investigators maintain he was in a restricted area.
Investigators say Reffitt on October 20, 2020, posted on a website for Texas Freedom Force, which is identified in court documents as an extremist militia group.
When the FBI arrived at Reffitt’s home in order to serve a warrant on January 16, agents spoke with his adult son and juvenile daughter.
According to Reffitt’s son, he told his children that he took part in the insurrection at the Capitol in order to “protect the country.” He further said that on January 11 he had to “erase everything” because the FBI was watching.
Reffitt’s son said that his father told him that if he reported him to police he would have no option but to do duty for his country and “do what he had to do.” Reffitt’s son interpreted this as a threat on his life.
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Also on January 11, according to Reffitt’s son, he told his children words to the effect of “if you turn me in, you’re a traitor, and you know what happens to traitors – traitors get shot.”
During an interview, a court document states, Reffitt’s wife told investigators that he is a member of the anti-government Three Percenters movement. She additionally described him as passionate about his beliefs but stated she does not believe he would have followed through on the threats he made to his children.
Investigators located an AR-15 rifle and a Smith & Wesson pistol in Reffitt’s home.
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