Delran man and his brother charged with allegedly attacking photographer during Capitol riots

A South Jersey man and his brother are accused of attacking and robbing a photographer during the Capitol riots in January 2021.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 49-year-old David Walker of Delran and 52-year-old Philip Walker of Pennsylvania allegedly targeted their victim at the top of a staircase in the Capitol.

Philip Walker was filmed entering the Capitol at 2:40 p.m., about a minute before the attack. Video footage shows Philip Walker allegedly carrying the photographer's equipment immediately after the attack, the Justice Department said.

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As the photographer attempted to retrieve the equipment, David Walker allegedly pushed the victim while the brothers fled down the stairs and out of the Capitol, the statement said. Philip Walker has admitted to entering the Capitol and having a physical altercation with the photographer.

Walker told the FBI in a January 2021 interview that he believed the photographer was a member of Antifa, a radical left-wing militant group.

“He admitted to leaving the Capitol with the camera and disposing of it in a body of water” while traveling home to Upper Chichester, Pennsylvania, the statement said.

The statement said the photographer was “an employee of a media company” who was thrown to the ground and injured in the incident. The victim also said he lost two cameras.

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Several images from surveillance video showed the brothers in conspicuous clothing in the Capitol and during the incident, the statement said.

It was alleged that David Walker had a knife attached to his trouser pocket.

The Walkers were arrested at their homes on Thursday and charged with robbery, assault with intent to commit a crime and criminal damage.

The brothers are also accused of seven offenses, including assault by hitting, beating and injuring.

The charges are merely allegations. The Walkers were not convicted in this case.

More than 15 South Jersey residents have been charged in connection with the 2021 Capitol riots by supporters of former President Donald Trump.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: [email protected].

This article originally appeared in the Cherry Hill Courier-Post: DOJ: David and Philip Walker charged with attack on U.S. Capitol