WASHINGTON — Manuel Oliver was the father of Parkland’s shooting victim at 17 years old. He was arrested on Capitol Hill Thursday after shouting at a Republican lawmaker during a hearing about gun regulations.
Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-Fla.), a 26-year-old freshman, who is also a survivor from gun violence, tweeted a clip of officers detaining Oliver.
Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) said that some people were disruptive during the hearing.
“We asked Capitol Police for their removal. The two were removed, and the one who wanted to return in during the hearing was still givenled in disrupted it,” he said. “That was when we had a recess. Capitol Police were surrounded in the hallway by people and we are now back in session.
U.S. Capitol Police stated in a statement that a man was taken into custody for D.C. Code Section SS22-1307 (crowding or obstructing or incommoding), after he disrupted an hearing.
Frost tweeted the video. Frost recorded a woman shouting: “Let your husband go!” A Democratic aide who was aware of the situation stated that Oliver and his wife Patricia Oliver attended the hearing.
The House Judiciary Committee held the hearing titled “ATF’s Assault on Second Amendment: When Is Enough Enough?”. It elicited lively debate about gun deaths and firearm regulations.
Fallon asked panelists questions to argue that guns are “merely tools” and should not be banned. However, if they’re misused or cause death, then alcohol and cars should be banned.
One man could be heard shouting and interrupting another person in the room.
Fallon looked around the room and asked: “Is it an insurrection?” So they will be held to one another — I don’t want another Jan. 6 do we?
Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) jumped in to add: “If they are trying to overthrow government, they should be held to that same standard. They are trying to voice their opinions, but I don’t think so.
Fallon responded to claim that Cicilline was “outof line”.
Fallon continued speaking, but was again interrupted. Fallon was frustrated and said, “Does Capitol police not do its jobs?” “What’s the hell’s the matter?” Fallon then interrupted the hearing before the arrest seemed to have taken place and continued the proceedings afterward.
Frost later tweeted that “Manuel Oliver and Patricia Oliver were just kicked from this committee hearing about gun violence.” The chair escalated the situation after Patricia said one thing. Manuel Oliver, who had lost his son in Parkland’s shooting, was then arrested by police. His son was killed in the Parkland shooting.
