Capitol Riot's Alleged 'Zip Tie Guy' Arrested in Nashville

The man allegedly shown inside the U.S. Senate chambers wearing tactical gear and carrying plastic restraints in chilling photographs from last week's attack on the U.S. Capitol was arrested in Nashville on Sunday. He is Eric Munchel, a 30-year-old former employee of Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk on Lower Broadway. 

The insurrection by supporters of Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday was explicitly incited by the president — not just in a speech he delivered to the mob hours before some of them stormed the Capitol, but through weeks of lies about the November election and years of lies about everything else. It was tacitly supported by Republicans who sought to reject the results of a free and fair election. Among those Republicans were Tennessee Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, who reversed course only after they were forced to hide from the invading mob that interrupted their plans. Five people are now dead, including a woman who was shot by police as she and a crowd of other people tried to force their way toward the House chambers where lawmakers where sheltering, as well as a police officer who was beaten by members of the mob. 

People on the internet, from reporters to volunteer researchers and amateur sleuths, have been racing to identify people who were photographed inside the Capitol, including several people who were equipped with more than conspiracy theories about the presidential election. One of the instantly viral photos allegedly shows Munchel inside the Senate chamber wearing camouflage and tactical gear, carrying plastic restraints and with a cell phone strapped to his chest. In one of the photos, a Tennessee Thin Blue Line patch — a symbol embraced by people who claim support for law enforcement — is visible on his clothing. A Facebook page that appears to belong to Munchel was quickly deleted after people online identified him.

Munchel is charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Steve Smith, an owner of Kid Rock's Lower Broad bar, confirmed to The Tennessean on Sunday that Munchel used to work there but said he was fired two months ago.