Orange County

Full Sail student accused of hitting police officer in head with skateboard during U.S. Capitol riot

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Full Sail University student was arrested Thursday accused of hitting a police officer in the head with a skateboard during the U.S. Capitol riot in January.

He’s the second person to be taken into custody in Orlando on charges related to the insurrection this week.

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Federal investigators said body camera footage shows Grady Owens, of Orange County, assault a Metropolitan Police Department officer with the board.

Court documents state that the officer sustained a concussion and an injury to his pinkie finger.

READ: Feds: Orange County man with ‘Proud Boys’ tattoo took selfie inside Senate chamber during Capitol riot

Investigators said they linked still photos of the body camera footage with photos on Owen’s Instagram account. They said Owens is wearing the same hat in the photos at the Capitol as he is in his Instagram profile photo.

Documents show when an instructor at Full Sail was asked by investigators to identify the man seen in the footage at the Capitol and the man in the Instagram photos, he identified both people as Owens.

READ: Social media posts lead to charges, arrests after riot at US Capitol

Investigators said Owens traveled to Washington, D.C., from Texas with a relative.

Owens is facing a total of four federal charges, including three felonies and a misdemeanor.

Those charges include assault and use of a dangerous weapon causing bodily harm, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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Because he’s accused of inflicting violence, the Department of Justice is asking that Owens remain in custody, arguing he’s also a potential flight risk.

Owens is set to have another hearing in court Friday morning in Orlando.

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Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.

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