Real estate agency owner allegedly attacked cops with flagpole in Jan. 6 Capitol riot

A Pennsylvania real estate agent was arrested last week on charges of assaulting law enforcement with a deadly weapon during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. 

Lowell Gates, a 63-year-old Mechanicsburg native who owns Linlo Properties, faces both felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from his actions during the riot that disrupted the joint session of Congress to certify the 2020 presidential election results, the Department of Justice said in a press release.

Gates is accused of assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers using a dangerous weapon and obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder, both of which are felonies. 

Additionally, he is charged with several misdemeanors, including entering restricted grounds, disorderly conduct, and violent conduct within the Capitol building.

Court documents say that on the day of the incident, Gates participated in a rally at the Ellipse in Washington before moving towards the Capitol on Pennsylvania Avenue. 

Video footage captured his presence near the restricted West Plaza, where he allegedly used a cell phone to document the unfolding riot. At about 2:30 p.m., Gates was allegedly recorded on body-worn camera footage throwing an object at law enforcement officers before attacking them with a flagpole. 

Video evidence allegedly depicts him lunging at officers and striking them multiple times with the flagpole, using it like a spear.

Gates was taken into custody in Harrisburg and is scheduled to make his initial court appearance in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The case is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and it falls under the purview of the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

Gates’ alleged actions are counter to the wholesome image that he projects on Linlo’s website.

“Linlo Properties is a family owned and operated business started by Linda and Lowell Gates,” the website says. “What began as a small husband and wife run side-business 25 years ago is now a rapidly growing, fast-paced, full-time company with over forty employees including one of Linda and Lowell’s children.  Linlo Properties has its own full-time construction crew ready to create your ideal office space.  We don’t want you to find an office space that happens to work for you; we want you to have an office that makes you proud and feels comfortable – somewhere you want to stay!”

The company manages and leases commercial properties primarily in the Greater Harrisburg Area, including Camp Hill, Lemoyne, Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg, Lower Paxton Township, Lower Allen Township, Upper Allen Township, Silver Spring Township, and Susquehanna Township, the website says.

Since the events of Jan. 6, 2021, over 1,106 individuals have been arrested across nearly all U.S. states for their roles in the Capitol breach. More than 350 people have faced charges related to assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers during the chaos.