A man named Zachary Alam was sentenced to 8 years in prison for his actions during the January 6th, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Alam was part of the crowd that stormed the Capitol, smashing a glass door panel with a helmet. Shortly after, a police officer shot and killed another person trying to climb through the broken door.
Alam hoped he and other rioters would receive a pardon, or forgiveness, for their actions. He told the judge he wanted a “full pardon” and believed he was acting like a patriot. However, the judge disagreed, calling his actions aggressive and dangerous.
During the Capitol attack, members of Congress and their staff were hiding. Alam and others tried to get into a part of the Capitol that was barricaded and protected by police. A 35-year-old woman, Ashli Babbitt, was shot by an officer as she tried to climb through the broken window that Alam had helped smash.
Alam was convicted of ten crimes, including blocking Congress from confirming the presidential election results, which he believed was the right thing to do. Prosecutors recommended a sentence of more than 11 years, but his lawyer asked for a shorter sentence, saying Alam was lonely and had a hard time fitting in.
Alam was not alone in the attack; over 1,500 people have been charged for their roles in the riot. More than 1,000 have been sentenced, with many facing time in prison.