Daniel Ball

Daniel Ball, of Homosassa, Florida, was the only January 6 defendant charged with setting off an explosive device during the Capitol attack. According to court documents, Ball entered the Capitol through the Senate Wing door at 3:29 p.m. on January 6, 2021. While inside, he pried a large wooden piece from a window shutter before exiting the building. He then joined other rioters on the Lower West Terrace, where he worked with others to push against police officers attempting to block entry to the building. When that effort failed, Ball moved back into the crowd and threw an explosive device into the entranceway. An FBI explosives examiner determined the device was capable of inflicting property damage and serious injury; several officers were injured. Ball was indicted in May 2023 on eleven counts, including assaulting officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon, using an explosive to commit a felony, obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder, and theft of government property. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.