David Scott Kuntz, being interviewed, faces charges in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The inset is a photo of the Grim Reaper on his back. (photos from court documents)
An Indiana militia member who calls himself “Reaper” and appeared amid rioters in a ballistics vest calling out “F— the police!” was arrested for taking part in the Capitol insurrection, authorities said.
David Scott Kuntz, 53, was arrested on Thursday. He faces charges of felony obstruction of an official proceeding and misdemeanor trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Kuntz traveled to Washington for then-President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally, authorities said. In his tactical vest with its red and white reaper image on the back, he allegedly called out, “F— the police!” after rioters breached the Parliamentarian Door at 2:42 p.m.
Authorities said that in the days before the insurrection, he took to social media, revealing his intentions, initially referring to Jan. 20, Joe Biden’s Inauguration Day.
“This is Reaper. January the 20th in Washington D.C. is our day they will see we are not playing anymore we are going fully armed,” Kuntz allegedly wrote in a post on Facebook on Dec. 14, 2020, authorities said. “No more f—– games guy’s you are in this 100% or your out …”
Kuntz eventually shifted his focus from Jan. 20 to Jan. 6, 2021, joining encrypted chat groups, officials said.
“What is the goal of this group or chat? What are we trying to accomplish?” he wrote in one chat group post.
Authorities allege Kuntz is associated with the Three Percenter militia — named after the myth that only 3% of American colonists took up arms against the British during the American Revolution and who believe a small force with a just cause can overthrow the government if armed and prepared — responded, “Getting groups in here to fig s— out what our next move will be when s — goes crazy.”
Kuntz then asked another user in the group, “Are you still going on the 6th to D.C.” officials said.
The user responded, “Groups over here are talking about it now. The 6th is when they count the electoral votes. Republican Senators and Congressmen will be objecting to the votes, this is where things can change.”
Kuntz allegedly responded, “Yes but i do believe thats when s— will get crazy what you think.”
The other user replied, “It will get nuts if the vote is sent to the House to vote and the People’s vote is considered null and void.”
In another set of messages, Kuntz shared a tweet from then-President Trump: “See you in Washington, DC, on January 6th. Don’t miss it. Information to follow!” officials said.
Kuntz allegedly added, “He is asking us to be there.”
Another individual wrote, “Y’all wanna do it. Ask your self. Are you really ready. This is not for the faint of heart. Kuntz responded, “Good he does need us im going armed period.”
He added, “alot of groups are going in hot,” court documents said.
Kuntz came to the attention of the FBI after agents found a Facebook messenger chat group on Nov. 17, 2020, discussing “civil war” and the need to bring people together to fight against election fraud, authorities said.
“We must rise up if they try to illegally seat Biden,” someone in the group wrote.
“Hell ya,” Kuntz allegedly responded 3 minutes later. “This is reaper i really hope you all are ready for what is about to come it is time to stop sitting by and start doing s— we must start showing the world we will not stand for anymore s— its time to take action and stop watching.”
The group talked about being careful not to say too much on social media before Kuntz added someone to the group, court documents said.
“Mr Kuntz asked me to get a secure site for all to communicate,” that person wrote, then sent the group a link to join an encrypted Telegram Messenger group.
“Everyone go to telegram coalition of the unknown,” someone wrote, authorities said.
In an interview with the FBI on Feb. 3, 2021, Kuntz admitted he went to Washington and was in the Capitol building area on Jan. 6 but did not enter the building, court documents said. He said he saw others going in, but he “purposefully did not get any closer” and showed agents a photo of himself about 100 yards from the building as proof, court documents said.
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